Belgium star forward Jérémy Doku departed the 2026 World Cup to be present for the birth of his first-born son, Praise, who was born on Monday.
Doku was ruled out Belgium’s match against Iran on Sunday due to respiratory illness. Still not 100% healthy, a team doctor accompanied him in his travels to London to rejoin his wife, Shireen, having received the necessary approval from the Belgian federation to depart the tournament for the milestone occasion.