Belgian star Jeremy Doku becomes father amid World Cup controversy

Belgian national team player Jeremy Doku has welcomed a baby boy, Praise, with his wife, marking a significant personal milestone shortly after a controversial public discussion surrounding his potential absence from the World Cup.

The Belgian Football Association announced Monday that Doku had been permitted to temporarily leave the team's base in Seattle to join his wife in London for the birth. Team doctor Brahim Hacene confirmed that Doku received news of the imminent birth before the team's match against Iran last Sunday. Doku was already ruled out of that game due to illness, allowing him to travel without medical risk to be present for the special family moment. "Mother, father, and baby are all doing wonderfully," the doctor stated.

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Jeremy received the news before yesterday’s match that the birth was imminent.

Doku's temporary departure had ignited debate after a presenter on French sports channel L'Equipe TV questioned the decision. The presenter controversially stated that fathers are "useless" at childbirth, implying that Doku's presence was less important than playing in the World Cup. This remark triggered a significant backlash online, prompting L'Equipe to issue an apology and distance itself from the presenter's comments. The presenter has since been stood down from her program.

Doku, considered one of Belgium's promising young talents, is expected to rejoin his teammates in Seattle on Tuesday. The Belgian team has had a steady, though not spectacular, start to their World Cup campaign, with two draws so far. Doku played in Belgium's opening match against Egypt but struggled to make a significant impact before being substituted. The team's performance in their subsequent scoreless draw against Iran drew criticism from Belgian media.

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Mother, father, and baby are all doing wonderfully.