World Cup 2026: Jeremy Doku Welcomes Son Praise, Returns to Belgium Squad Later

Belgium winger Jeremy Doku rushes back to London for son’s birth

Belgium winger Jeremy Doku flew back to London for his newborn son Praise. He missed the 1-1 draw vs Iran and Belgium now need a result vs New Zealand to advance from Group G.

Belgium’s Doku misses Iran draw after rushing back to London for baby boy...

Belgium winger Jeremy Doku left the World Cup and flew back to London after his wife gave birth to a baby boy named Praise on Monday, the Belgian FA confirmed.

“Jeremy was told before yesterday’s game that the birth was coming soon,” Belgium team doctor Brahim Hacene said in a statement from the federation.

“As he had already been receiving appropriate medical treatment for several days, he was ‌able to fly without medical risk ⁠to be with ‌his family during this very special moment.

“He was accompanied by my colleague, Dr. Brecht De Coninck. Everything went perfectly, and the mother, father, and baby are all doing wonderfully. Jeremy will rejoin the squad tomorrow (Tuesday) evening ⁠in Seattle,” Hacene added.

Doku wasn’t in the squad for Belgium’s 1-1 draw with Iran in Los Angeles on Sunday - coach Rudi Garcia ruled him out the day before the match.

“He can't play, and so we'll be playing without him,” Garcia had said at the pre-match news conference, adding that Doku was still recovering from illness. “I knew since Friday that he won't be playing.

“I don't want to get players to play if they're not medically up for the game. I ‌can get players to play even if they're not 100 percent physically, but 100 percent ‌medically is more important.”

Belgium have opened their World Cup with draws against Egypt and Iran. They wrap up Group G against New Zealand in Vancouver on Friday.