Jeremy Doku’s World Cup has been pulled into a wider argument about football, fatherhood and the limits of professional duty.

The Belgium winger has said he wants to be present for the birth of his first child, even if that means temporarily leaving the national team during the tournament. His wife, Shireen, is due in the second week of July, a period that could overlap with the later knockout rounds if Belgium progress.

The issue became a controversy after comments made by French television host France Pierron on L’Équipe. According to TV 2 Sport, Pierron later apologised after her remarks about Doku’s situation caused a backlash.

A private decision becomes a public row

Doku, 24, had spoken openly about the possibility of leaving Belgium’s camp if the timing of the birth made it necessary. According to The Athletic and The New York Times, the Manchester City player said: “If you ask me what I want, my answer is that nobody wants to miss the birth of their first child. But I also know that football involves many other considerations.”

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That balance, between a World Cup and a first child, quickly became a topic on French television.

Pierron criticised the idea of Doku leaving the tournament and argued that a father’s role during childbirth was limited. Her comments were widely condemned, with critics accusing her of trivialising a deeply personal moment and reducing fatherhood to a secondary role.

Pierron apologises after backlash

After the criticism, Pierron issued an apology on social media. She said her remarks had been made as part of a debate and did not represent a collective position.

“I understand that they may have shocked, hurt or offended some of you. I apologise for that,” she wrote. “It was never my intention to minimise or underestimate the place or role of fathers alongside their partner and child.”

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The apology did not end the discussion, but it shifted the focus from Doku himself to a broader question: how much should elite athletes be expected to sacrifice during the biggest tournaments of their careers?

Support for Doku

Doku has received support from several voices in and around sport. Former Olympic boxing champion Brahim Asloum was among those who defended the player’s right to prioritise the birth of his child, arguing that such a moment cannot be repeated.

For Belgium, the matter is also practical. If the birth coincides with a knockout match, the federation may have to manage Doku’s temporary departure and possible return. Reports in Belgium have suggested that travel arrangements could be made if needed.

Doku’s immediate absence from Belgium’s match against Iran, however, was not linked to the birth. He was ruled out because of illness, with reports describing the problem as a respiratory infection.

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Belgium wait on and off the pitch

Doku played in Belgium’s opening 1-1 draw against Egypt, but the wider focus around him has since moved beyond football. His situation has become one of the more human stories of the tournament: a player trying to serve his country while preparing for the birth of his first child.

The debate has also exposed an old tension in elite sport. World Cups are rare, careers are short and players are judged harshly for every decision. But family milestones do not wait for fixture lists.

For Doku, the decision may soon become more than theoretical. If Belgium remain alive in the tournament when the baby arrives, he will have to choose how to divide his time between the biggest stage in football and the first days of fatherhood.

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