Jeremy Doku to rejoin Belgium squad at World Cup after missing Iran contest following birth of child

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Star forward Jeremy Doku will be available for Rudi Garcia's Belgium side's upcoming World Cup meeting with New Zealand in Group G on Saturday, June 27 having returned to England for the birth of his child.

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The Manchester City winger sat out the 0-0 draw with Iran on Sunday as he made the trip across the Atlantic to be with his family.

It was a trip permitted by the Belgium national team, as Doku told Reuters: "It's my first child, so I ‌would ⁠definitely want to be there.

"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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"I know the federation supports its players and understands their situations. We'll see what we can do."

The choice to leave the Belgium camp was one that was unfairly criticised by some quarters.

L'Equipe channel presenter France Pierron was not impressed with the Belgian's decision to sit out a World Cup match in order to be there with his partner for the birth of their child.

"The World Cup is an incredible joy," she said in a message posted to the channel's Facebook page.

"There are hundreds of footballers who would kill to be in your shoes. It might never happen again in your life.

"You're living out a childhood dream, yet you're going to walk away from it all to attend the birth of your child - a disgusting moment, if you'll pardon the expression, where the dad is completely useless."

Pierron did go on to explain her comments on X, posting: "I was expressing a personal opinion, within the context of a contentious exchange.

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"I understand that they may have shocked, hurt, or wounded some of you, and I am sorry for that.

"My intention has never been to minimise the place or role of fathers with their partner and their child."

'I see where he's coming from'

England striker Ollie Watkins was one of a number of former and current sports stars who backed Doku's decision.

"Someone labelled it 'disgusting'. For a start, that’s not a way to label a birth," Watkins said.

"I have two kids. I’ve seen what my wife had to go through in birth, and that was quite smooth sailing. I know family members and friends that haven’t had it that way. Your first child, welcoming them to the world, is a blessing.

"There’s a lot of times when you’re away from family and friends during the season, and it’s very difficult periods.

"So to miss that would be tough. I see where he [Doku] is coming from. He has all rights to go back and be there.

"We’re very privileged men at the end of the day, and I’m sure he will have a lot of support to get there as quickly as possible, make sure he’s there to support her and then fly back out.

"I don’t think it’s anyone else’s business what he gets up to after training."

Doku will hope to make an impact as Belgium seek to claim a first win of the 2026 World Cup when they take on New Zealand.

Garcia's side were held to a 1-1 draw by Egypt on matchday one before playing out a 0-0 draw with Iran on matchday two.

The results leave Belgium in third place in Group G in a potentially must-win clash with The All Whites, who sit bottom of their group having collected one point from the opening two matches.

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