Belgium winger Jeremy Doku has confirmed his return to the squad after welcoming the birth of his first child, a son named Praise, in London on Monday. The 21-year-old had initially faced criticism for his decision to leave the World Cup to be present at the birth, with French TV presenter France Pierron describing the move as 'disgusting'. However, Pierron has since apologised for her comments.
Doku missed Belgium's 1-1 draw with Iran in Los Angeles on Sunday due to illness, but is set to rejoin the squad in Seattle on Tuesday evening. The player expressed his gratitude for the support he received during this time, thanking everyone for their 'love, prayers, and kind messages'.
Belgium, who have drawn their opening two World Cup games against Egypt and Iran, face New Zealand in Vancouver on Friday for their final Group G fixture. Doku is likely to be available for this game, which could be crucial in determining their chances of progressing to the knockout stages. The team's performance has been a topic of discussion, with some pundits questioning the impact of Doku's absence on their results so far.
Team doctor Brahim Hacene confirmed that Doku had received medical clearance to fly and was accompanied by Dr. Brecht De Coninck during his trip to London. 'Everything went perfectly, and the mother, father, and baby are all doing wonderfully,' Hacene said in a statement from the Belgian federation. Doku has since thanked the team for their support and expressed his commitment to returning to football, stating that it's 'time to get back to football and represent my country on the biggest stage'.
The comments from Pierron and L’Equipe's distancing themselves from her remarks highlight the differing opinions on Doku's decision to leave the World Cup. While some may see it as a selfish move, others view it as a proud father's decision to be present at the birth of his child. Ultimately, Doku's return to the squad will be a welcome boost for Belgium, who will be hoping to secure a crucial win against New Zealand to progress to the next stage of the tournament.