Baby joy or Belgium duty? Doku faces World Cup clash as first child due in July

NEW YORK, June 16 — Jeremy Doku says he wants to be present for the birth of his first child next month, potentially creating a World Cup dilemma for the Red Devils, reported PA Media/dpa.

The 24-year-old Manchester City winger’s wife Shireen is due to give birth in the second week of July, around the quarter-final stage of the World Cup.

“If you ask me what I want, my answer is that nobody wants to miss the birth of their first child. But I also know that football ‌involves many other considerations,” Doku told Belgian reporters.

“I know the federation supports its players and understands their situations. We’ll see what we can do.”

Belgian media said ‌a private plane to England, where the child is due to be born, would likely be arranged and Doku would later return to the United States if Belgium were still in the tournament.

Belgium began their World Cup campaign against Egypt in Seattle on Monday. — Bernama-PA Media/dpa