Doku Man City Faces July Birth Timing at 2026 World Cup

Jeremy Doku man city is heading into the 2026 World Cup with one personal deadline hanging over the tournament. He said he wants to be present for the birth of his first child, expected in the second week of July, while Belgium are trying to go deep enough for the timing to matter.

Doku and Shireen in July

Doku said it is his first child and that he wants to be there when Shireen gives birth. He added: "Es kommt darauf an, wann es passiert, aber es ist mein erstes Kind, deshalb möchte ich auf jeden Fall dabei sein. Wenn Sie mich fragen, was ich mir wünsche, dann ist meine Antwort, dass niemand den Moment verpassen möchte, in dem sein erstes Kind geboren wird."

He also said: "Aber ich weiß auch, dass im Fußball viele andere Faktoren eine Rolle spielen. Ich weiß, dass der belgische Fußballverband seine Spieler unterstützt und ihre Situation versteht. Wir werden sehen, was wir tun können." That leaves Belgium weighing squad needs against a family moment that lands in the middle of the tournament window.

Belgium's Group G start

Belgium open against Egypt at 2 a.m. on June 16 in Group G, and Doku wants them to reach the knockout rounds. The timing is tight because the expected birth falls in the second week of July, the stretch when Belgium could be in the quarterfinal phase if they advance deep enough.

The 2002-born forward is already one of Belgium's key players alongside Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois, and Romelu Lukaku. He played at the 2022 World Cup, where he appeared once as a substitute for 18 minutes against Croatia.

Manchester City form

Doku arrives with momentum from Manchester City after an 8-goal, 14-assist season. That output has pushed him further into Belgium's plans as one of the players expected to carry more of the attack in the 2026 World Cup.

For Belgium, the practical issue is simple: a long run would place the tournament directly against the birth window. For Doku, the choice he outlined is just as direct, and it is now built into the shape of Belgium's campaign from the first match on June 16.