Belgium has been drawn into a public dispute after Jeremy Doku said he may leave the squad during the World Cup if the birth of his first child coincides with the tournament’s decisive stages. The Manchester City winger made the remark after Belgium’s disappointing 1-1 draw with Egypt, and it quickly sparked debate in Belgium and beyond about whether personal family commitments can outweigh a once-in-a-lifetime sporting opportunity.
Doku said the choice would be a difficult personal one, but stressed that being present for the birth of his first child would mean a great deal to him. At the same time, he said he understands the importance of the World Cup and his duty to the national team, and added that the Belgian federation is being understanding and giving him flexibility depending on how events develop.
The reaction was sharply split. Critics argued that leaving the tournament, especially at the crucial stages, would mean walking away from a career peak that may never come again. Sports journalist France Pyron attacked the idea, saying, “The World Cup is extraordinary happiness. There are hundreds of players who would kill to be in your place. It may never happen again in your life. It is a childhood dream you are fulfilling, and you are going to leave all of that to go to the birth of your child, a moment when the father does nothing anyway.”
Others defended Doku, saying the birth of a child is a major, one-time life event and that such a decision is personal and legitimate. Football figures also noted that top players have previously left national-team camps or missed important matches for family reasons without it damaging their standing or professionalism.
