Jeremy Doku is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Manchester City and the Belgium national team. He gained global public attention during the 2026 World Cup after a French television presenter heavily criticised his intention to leave the tournament to be present for the birth of his first child, sparking widespread debate about family versus sporting duty .
Quick Facts
Full Name: Jeremy Doku
Age: 24 (born 27 May 2002)
Nationality: Belgian
Occupation: Professional Footballer (Winger)
Known For: Playing for Manchester City; representing Belgium at the 2026 World Cup; sparking debate about leaving the tournament for childbirth
Marital Status: Married to Shireen
Children: Expecting first child (July 2026)
Early Life and Background
Jeremy Doku was born in Belgium and rose through the youth ranks of Anderlecht before making his professional debut. His pace, dribbling ability, and direct style of play quickly made him one of the most exciting young wingers in European football.
Career and Achievements
Doku moved to Manchester City in 2023, where he has established himself as a key attacking option under Pep Guardiola, known for his explosive dribbling and ability to beat defenders one-on-one. He is a regular starter for the Belgium national team and was a key player in their 2026 World Cup campaign, featuring in their opening match against Egypt.
Major Event and Controversy
During the 2026 World Cup, Doku revealed his wife Shireen is due to give birth in the second week of July, which would coincide with the tournament’s quarter-finals . Doku stated his intention to leave the Belgium camp to be at the birth, saying: “If you ask me what I want, my answer is that nobody wants to miss the birth of their first child” .
French presenter France Pierron of L’Equipe channel criticised his stance, calling childbirth a “disgusting moment” where a father is “completely useless” . The comments provoked widespread backlash. L’Equipe apologised, stating the comments were “very far removed” from its values, and Pierron also issued an apology .
Other players came to Doku’s defence, including England striker Ollie Watkins, who said: “It only happens once – welcoming your first child to the world – and it is a blessing” .
Why He Is In the News
Doku is in the news for his decision to prioritise the birth of his first child over his World Cup commitments, and for the subsequent controversy it created. Doku missed Belgium’s second group match against Iran due to a respiratory infection, though he is expected to be available for their final group fixture . The debate has highlighted how footballers balance the demands of international tournaments with significant family moments.
Conclusion
Jeremy Doku is a talented winger for Manchester City and Belgium who found himself at the centre of a heated cultural debate during the 2026 World Cup over his desire to be present for the birth of his first child. His stance has been supported by many in the footballing world, and he has been backed by his federation, reinforcing the view that family comes first.
