Belgium international Jeremy Doku has been criticized for wishing to leave the squad for his childbirth amid the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Forced to choose between remaining in the pressure cooker of Belgium’s World Cup camp or flying home to witness the birth of his first child, Doku’s natural instinct as a father took over.

However, his completely human desire to be with his partner has triggered an unprecedented, venomous media backlash and the nature of the criticism has left the global football community in a state of absolute shock.

Jeremy Doky Criticized on TV

The drama reached a fever pitch on French television when presenter France Pierron, speaking on the prominent sports network L’Equipe, launched a scathing and deeply personal attack on the 23-year-old winger’s priorities. Rather than viewing Doku’s situation with empathy, Pierron sparked a viral firestorm by explicitly calling his decision to prioritize the delivery room “disgusting.”

She said, “You can’t miss a World Cup… And now, you’re not going to the match to cut an umbilical cord? You have the chance to participate in a World Cup, and there are hundreds of footballers who would kill to be in your place.

Refusing to back down, the presenter doubled down with a brutally stark assessment of a father’s role in childbirth, claiming that a father is fundamentally “useless” in that scenario, “But you’re going to leave all that to go and witness the birth of your child, which is a disgusting moment, excuse me, where the father is useless, he has a role as an extra.” Pierron passionately argued that a highly coveted spot at the World Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime privilege that must take absolute precedence over witnessing the birth of a child.

Is the Criticism on Jeremy Doku Fair?

In a word: No. Pierron’s explosive comments were immediately met with unified, overwhelming outrage from fans, players, and pundits across the globe. The public consensus was swift and merciless, condemning the presenter’s views as deeply out of touch and shockingly archaic.

To brazenly label a father “useless” in the delivery room not only wildly diminishes the vital emotional and physical support that partners provide during childbirth, but it also exposes a toxic, outdated mentality regarding elite athletes. Today, progressive football institutions heavily prioritize mental health and family well-being, knowing that a player cannot perform at their peak if their heart is agonizingly divided. Hence the scathing attack on the player is not solicited at all.