“Doku Welcomes Son Praise as Belgium Star Returns to World Cup After Family First Debate”
Belgium winger Jérémy Doku has welcomed his first child, a baby boy named Praise, after temporarily leaving the national team’s 2026 FIFA World Cup camp to be with his wife in London.
The Belgian Football Association confirmed that Doku travelled to England after being cleared by medical staff, following news that his wife, Shireen, was close to giving birth. The 24 year old missed Belgium’s goalless Group G draw against Iran, with the team saying he had already been unavailable because of illness.
Doku’s brief departure came after a public debate over his stated intention to prioritise the birth of his child, even if it overlapped with Belgium’s World Cup campaign. The discussion intensified after comments by French television presenter France Pierron drew criticism for questioning the value of a father’s presence during childbirth.
French sports outlet L’Équipe later apologised and distanced itself from the remarks, while Pierron also issued an apology. England forward Ollie Watkins was among players who publicly backed Doku, arguing that athletes should be able to support their families during major life events.
Belgium’s football federation said Doku was expected to rejoin the Red Devils’ World Cup squad after the birth. His return comes at a pivotal stage of the tournament, with Belgium seeking to strengthen its position in Group G ahead of its final group fixture against New Zealand.
The episode has renewed wider conversations around fatherhood, family responsibility and the demands placed on elite athletes during major international competitions. For Doku, the arrival of Praise marks a defining personal milestone alongside the pressures of representing Belgium on football’s biggest stage.