Jeremy Doku may have scored FIFA World Cup 2026's biggest win without touching the ball as baby Praise's arrival melts football fans

The FIFA World Cup is usually remembered for unforgettable goals, dramatic upsets and moments that define careers. This year, however, one of the tournament's biggest talking points has come away from the football pitch.

Belgium and Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku briefly stepped away from the national team to be with his wife, Shireen, as they welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Praise. His decision has touched football fans across the world, with many calling it one of the most wholesome stories of FIFA World Cup 2026.


With Belgium preparing for a crucial stage of the tournament, Doku was faced with a life changing decision. His wife was due to give birth around the same time Belgium were competing, and he made it clear that he wanted to be there. Before leaving the squad, the winger said no father would want to miss the birth of his first child.

The Belgian Football Federation fully supported his decision. The coaching staff and medical team worked together to ensure he could travel safely, spend time with his family and return to the squad as quickly as possible. Doku flew to London, where he and Shireen welcomed baby Praise into the world before he immediately began preparing to rejoin Belgium.

The Manchester City star also missed Belgium's match against Iran, although he was already dealing with a respiratory illness that had raised doubts over his availability. His absence therefore had little impact on Belgium's plans, making the timing even more manageable.


Soon after the news broke, social media was flooded with congratulations. Fans celebrated the birth of baby Praise while applauding Doku for putting family before football. Many described his choice as the perfect example of what modern fatherhood should look like.

One viral post on X quickly gained thousands of interactions after saying that knowing your father left the FIFA World Cup just to be present at your birth was "the ultimate flex." Others joked that baby Praise had already received the greatest welcome possible, while many simply wrote, "Family over everything."

The reactions were not limited to supporters. Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans, who is also a father, publicly backed Doku's decision. England forward Ollie Watkins also described becoming a father as one of life's greatest blessings, with many players agreeing that missing such a milestone would have been far more painful than missing a football match.

After welcoming his son, Doku shared a heartfelt message thanking everyone who had sent their congratulations. He expressed his happiness at becoming a father and confirmed that he would quickly return to Belgium's World Cup camp to help the team in the remaining matches.


Supporters responded with thousands of comments filled with heart emojis and well wishes for the young family. Many fans also expressed excitement about seeing Doku return to the pitch, hoping he would celebrate his next goal by dedicating it to baby Praise.

Belgium now expects one of its most dangerous attacking players back as the tournament enters its decisive stages. Doku's explosive pace and dribbling ability remain vital to the team's hopes of making a deep World Cup run.

While most fans celebrated Doku's decision, not everyone agreed. French television presenter France Pierron questioned why a player would leave the FIFA World Cup to attend the birth of his child, arguing that fathers play only a limited role during childbirth and that the World Cup opportunity was far more significant.

Her comments immediately sparked criticism online. Football supporters, journalists and fellow presenters accused her of dismissing the importance of fathers being present during one of the biggest moments in their family's lives.

The backlash grew so quickly that broadcaster L'Équipe removed Pierron from its World Cup coverage and later issued an apology to Doku. Pierron also apologised, saying she never intended to minimise the role of fathers and regretted the way her comments had been understood.


Football has changed significantly over the past decade, with players becoming increasingly open about balancing professional careers with family responsibilities. Doku's story reminded many supporters that footballers are also husbands, fathers and ordinary people away from the spotlight.

Several fans pointed out that stars such as Kingsley Coman and Danny Welbeck have also prioritised the birth of their children during major competitions. Instead of being criticised, these moments are increasingly viewed as examples of healthy priorities and emotional maturity.

Research has also consistently shown that a supportive partner during childbirth can positively impact both the mother and newborn. That wider conversation helped many people understand why Doku's decision resonated far beyond football itself.

Jeremy Doku may still have plenty of opportunities to create unforgettable moments at FIFA World Cup 2026, but many fans believe he has already produced one of the tournament's defining stories. By choosing to stand beside his wife during the birth of their first child, he showed that family and football do not have to compete with each other.

As he returns to Belgium's squad with renewed motivation, supporters will be watching closely to see what comes next. Whether he scores, assists or helps Belgium chase World Cup glory, Doku has already earned something that no trophy can replace. For many fans, welcoming baby Praise was the biggest win of his tournament.