Doku Blasted for Plan to Leave Belgium’s World Cup Camp for Baby’s Birth

Jeremy Doku has been slammed from all angles after revealing he plans to leave Belgium’s World Cup 2026 base to attend the birth of his first child — regardless of where the Red Devils stand in the tournament. The Manchester City winger, 24, confirmed his wife Shireen is due in the second week of July, which would coincide exactly with the quarter-final stage if Belgium progress. With England potentially on a collision course with Belgium in the knockouts, Doku’s personal bombshell has added an extra layer of intrigue to an already gripping tournament.

What Doku Said — and Why It Caused an Uproar

Speaking to Reuters, Doku was refreshingly candid: ‘It’s my first child, so I would definitely want to be there.’ His wife is due in the second week of July — precisely when Belgium could be deep into the knockout rounds. That kind of honesty is rare in international football, and it has proved every bit as controversial as it is admirable.

Critics were quick to pile in. Several Belgian pundits argued that representing your country at a World Cup demands total commitment, and that no player should put personal plans above the national team during the tournament. The reaction has been fierce, particularly given Belgium’s genuine ambitions of going deep in 2026.

The Manchester City Connection

For English football fans, Doku’s name needs no introduction. The Belgian winger has been one of the most electrifying players in the Premier League since joining Manchester City, lighting up the top flight with his pace, directness and ability to take on defenders in tight spaces.

His club form makes the question of his availability even more pointed. If Belgium face England in the quarter-finals and Doku is absent — through illness, personal leave or both — it changes the tactical picture significantly. Doku runs the most direct channel on Belgium’s left flank, and there is no obvious like-for-like replacement in their squad.

Tuchel’s England will be watching closely. Any disruption to Doku’s tournament rhythm, physical or mental, is a concern not just for Belgium but for City fans eyeing his fitness heading into next season.

Could This Affect Belgium’s Run — and England’s Path?

Doku is already ill and will miss Belgium’s next group game, further complicating his situation. A player who misses matches through sickness and then potentially takes paternity leave mid-tournament faces a genuine challenge in maintaining the sharpness needed at the highest level.

England’s possible path to the final could well feature a quarter-final against Belgium, and Tuchel’s staff will be keeping close tabs on developments in the Red Devils’ camp. A Belgium side unsettled by internal debates — even well-intentioned ones — is a more beatable Belgium.

That said, Belgium’s squad is deep enough to cope without Doku for a single match. The real question is whether the off-field noise creates any lingering tension in a dressing room that needs unity to go all the way.

Is Doku Right or Wrong? The Bigger Debate

There is a genuine split of opinion here. The old-school football view holds that nothing — absolutely nothing — should come before representing your country at a World Cup. That is the competition you dream of as a child, the one that defines careers and legacies.

But in 2026, attitudes are shifting. Mental health, work-life balance and player welfare have become mainstream conversations in football. Several England internationals have been praised for opening up about personal struggles in recent years, and the sport is broadly more sympathetic to players as human beings rather than simply as assets.

Doku’s honesty, whatever you think of his decision, is the kind of transparency the game needs more of. Whether Belgium’s coaching staff agree when July arrives is another matter entirely.

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