Jeremy Doku baby dilemma sparks backlash: Why fans are siding against French reporter
Jeremy Doku may leave Belgium’s World Cup camp for his child’s birth, sparking backlash after a French reporter’s controversial comments.
Jeremy Doku probably didn’t expect to become one of the most talked-about names at the 2026 World Cup for something off the field, but here we are.
The Belgium winger sparked a global debate after revealing that his partner is expecting a baby and that he hopes to be present for the birth, even if it means temporarily leaving the national team during the tournament.
Jeremy Doku has been criticised for saying he wants to leave Belgium's World Cup camp to be with his wife when she gives birth to their first child. pic.twitter.com/axX9hSrF8w
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 21, 2026
From where I am standing, Doku is not doing anything controversial. He is simply being a good partner and father. End of story. But apparently not everyone agrees.
“You’re leaving a World Cup to cut an umbilical cord?”
The situation escalated when French TV presenter France Pierron weighed in with a take that immediately drew backlash across social media.
“I’m sorry, the father serves no purpose,” she said. “He is an extra… The baby will always be there.”
🚨👶 Jérémy Doku could temporarily leave Belgium's World Cup camp to be present for the birth of his son, and the debate has exploded across Europe. 🇧🇪
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Footballtweet) June 21, 2026
French journalist France Pierron didn't hold back:
🗣️ Pierron: "Are you seriously telling me these players have sacrificed… pic.twitter.com/OLAQzJEtQM
Arguing that the father is useless is already ridiculous enough. He’s a lot more useless if he’s not even present, I should think. But on top of that, arguing that a World Cup should take priority over the birth of a child sparked intense debate, and triggered a near-universal response from fans pushing back hard. Because for most people, this isn’t complicated.
Family is everything in this world.
— Football Lore (@FootballLores) June 21, 2026
You can have all the money in the world but without a family you're just a nobody.
Being present for your first child is something special.
The World Cup is the biggest event in soccer. It’s every player’s dream. But the birth of your child is a once-in-a-lifetime moment, one that doesn’t come with a second chance, a replay, or another tournament four years down the line.
Fans across platforms have overwhelmingly sided with Doku, arguing that being present for the birth of his child isn’t just understandable, but non-negotiable. And apart from the emotional side, we’re seeing a cultural shift at play too. Modern athletes are increasingly open about prioritizing family, mental health, and life beyond sport. Missing a game, even at the World Cup, is no longer automatically seen as a lack of commitment. If anything, it’s often viewed as perspective.
That’s not fair at all! Every father deserves to be there for there child’s birth and if they can should be able to and anyone saying that’s not ok is seriously wrong in the head.
— united fan (@manunitedfan717) June 21, 2026
When is Jeremy Doku’s wife due to have her baby?
Doku has not publicly confirmed the exact due date of his wife’s pregnancy, but based on his comments, the birth is expected to coincide closely with Belgium’s World Cup schedule. They will face Iran tonight (Sunday, June 21) in Los Angeles and New Zealand on Friday, June 26 in Vancouver.
Belgium’s coaching staff and federation are reportedly aware of the situation, and plans are being discussed behind the scenes in case Doku needs to leave camp on short notice.
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