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Jeremy Doku flew home for the birth of his first child, and the noise that followed has not cost the Belgium winger a single minute of his World Cup.
The Manchester City forward faced heavy criticism when he said he wanted to be present for the birth, with one French presenter calling the idea disgusting. Senior figures across the game pushed back and defended his right to go.
Now it has all worked out for him. Doku’s son, Praise, was born in London on Monday, and the 23-year-old is set to rejoin his Belgium teammates in Seattle on Tuesday evening without missing a single match.
Jeremy Doku set to rejoin Belgium without missing a game
The timing fell kindly. Doku had already been ruled out of Sunday’s draw with Iran with a respiratory illness, so the trip to London did not cost him a game he would otherwise have played.
Belgium’s team doctor said he had been receiving treatment for several days and could travel without any risk.
Brahim Hacene confirmed the birth in a federation statement (via ESPN).
He said: “Everything went perfectly, and the mother, father, and baby are all doing wonderfully. Jeremy will rejoin the group tomorrow evening in Seattle.”
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The reaction to his original plan had been fierce. Doku faced backlash over his World Cup departure when he first spoke about leaving.
England forward Ollie Watkins was among those who answered the critics, and the Aston Villa striker defended Doku’s right to be there, calling it nobody else’s business.
His return is a boost Belgium badly need.
They have drawn both group games so far — 1-1 with Egypt and 0-0 with Iran — and have shown little of the form that wins a World Cup. Doku’s pace and direct running are among the few things that have troubled opponents.
A place in the knockout rounds is still to be secured against New Zealand on June 26th. The fuss over his departure looks like an overreaction now.
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