LONDON, July 10 (Reuters) — Belgium winger Jeremy Doku briefly left the 2026 World Cup in June to witness the birth of his first son. He returned to score a decisive goal in a 2-1 victory over Spain on Tuesday, propelling Belgium into the quarter-finals.
The Manchester City player, 23, missed Belgium’s final group stage match against Portugal. He flew back to England to be at the side of his wife, Shireen, during the delivery. Critics, including a French broadcaster, questioned his commitment to the national team.
“I had to be there,” Doku told reporters after the Spain match. “It was a decision between my career and my family. I chose family.”
His return to the squad was marked by an emotional moment. Teammates reported seeing Doku in a tearful prayer session before the quarter-final tie. He later described the birth as “God’s perfect timing.”
“I prayed and I cried,” Doku said in a post-match interview aired by FIFA. “My son gave me strength. I trust God’s plan.”
The decision to leave the tournament came at a cost. Doku had struggled with illness and limited playing time during the group stage, according to team sources. His form dipped. Belgium’s attack lacked its usual edge.
Against Spain, however, Doku provided the X-factor Belgium needed. His speed and dribbling skills disrupted Spain’s defensive line. He created two clear chances and scored the winning goal in the 78th minute.
Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco praised Doku’s mindset shift. “He came back a different player,” Tedesco said. “Fatherhood gave him focus. He played with freedom.”
The victory sets up a quarter-final clash against Argentina. Doku’s journey—from a difficult group stage exit to a crucial knockout performance—underscores a broader trend in professional sports: the tension between career demands and family milestones.
Shireen, Doku’s wife, described the moment in an interview with Town & Country. “He was crying before I even told him the baby was coming,” she said. “He knew what he had to do.”
Doku’s faith remains central to his narrative. He credits divine intervention for the timing of his son’s birth and his return to the tournament. “I didn’t plan this,” he said. “God did.”
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Why did Jeremy Doku leave the 2026 World Cup?
- A: He left to witness the birth of his first son, prioritizing family over his career.
- Q: How did Doku perform after returning to the World Cup?
- A: He scored the decisive goal in a 2-1 victory over Spain, propelling Belgium into the quarter-finals.
- Q: What did Doku say about his decision to leave the tournament?
- A: He said it was a choice between career and family, and he chose family, describing the birth as ‘God’s perfect timing’.
Extended Reading
For further context on Doku’s decision and its impact, see the JubileeCast article “Jérémy Doku Left the World Cup to Welcome His Son: Now He’s Praising God Into the Quarterfinals” (July 8, 2026) and the Straits Times report “Doku Offers Belgium X-Factor They Might Need Against Spain” (July 10, 2026).