Doku flies from World Cup to London for son's birth, set to rejoin Belgium squad Tuesday

Jeremy Doku flew from Los Angeles to London to witness the birth of his first child, a boy named Praise, on Monday, the Belgian Football Federation confirmed. The Manchester City winger is expected to rejoin Belgium’s World Cup squad in Seattle on Tuesday evening.

Team doctor Brahim Hacene explained that Doku had received word before Sunday’s match against Iran that the birth was imminent. “As he had already been receiving appropriate medical treatment for several days, he was able to fly without medical risk to be with his family during this very special moment,” Hacene said in a federation statement. “Everything went perfectly, and the mother, father, and baby are all doing wonderfully.”

Doku had already been absent from Belgium’s 1-1 draw with Iran in Los Angeles on Sunday, having been ruled out on the eve of the game by head coach Rudi Garcia due to illness. Garcia confirmed at his pre-match press conference that he had known since Friday that Doku would not feature. “I don’t want to get players to play if they’re not medically up for the game,” the coach said.

The winger’s decision to leave the tournament for the birth had attracted criticism in some quarters. French television presenter France Pierron wrote on social media that attending the birth was “a disgusting moment, if you’ll pardon the expression, where the dad is completely useless,” and questioned why Doku would walk away from a World Cup appearance. Pierron later apologised for the remarks, and French sports newspaper L’Equipe distanced itself from her comments.

Belgium have drawn both of their opening Group G fixtures, against Egypt and Iran, and face New Zealand in Vancouver on Friday in their final group-stage game. Doku’s return to the squad ahead of that fixture will be a boost for Garcia’s side as they look to secure progression.