Jeremy Doku will rejoin the Belgium squad and resume World Cup duty after returning to London for the birth of his son.
Belgium winger Doku dashed across the Atlantic to be with his wife, Shireen, who gave birth to a boy named Praise on Monday.
Team doctor Brahim Hacene, in a statement from the Belgian federation, said: “Jeremy received news before yesterday’s match that the birth was imminent. As he had already been receiving appropriate medical treatment for several days, he was able to fly without medical risk to be with his family during this very special moment.
“He was accompanied by my colleague, Dr. Brecht De Coninck. Everything went perfectly, and the mother, father, and baby are all doing wonderfully. Jeremy will rejoin the squad tomorrow (Tuesday) evening in Seattle.”
Doku has now himself confirmed that a return to the Belgium camp is imminent, saying in a statement on Instagram: “Thank you to the team for the support, now it’s time to get back to football and represent my country on the biggest stage.”
Doku had bizarrely faced some criticism after announcing his plan to leave the World Cup to be at the birth of his first child.
French TV presenter France Pierron posted on social media: “There are hundreds of footballers who would kill to be in your shoes. It might never happen again in your life.
“You’re living out a childhood dream, yet you’re going to walk away from it all to attend the birth of your child – a disgusting moment, if you’ll pardon the expression, where the dad is completely useless.”
Pierron subsequently apologised for her controversial comments, while L’Equipe distances itself from Pierron’s remarks.
Doku, who missed Belgium’s 1-1 draw with Iran in Los Angeles on Sunday due to illness, expressed his gratitude for those who had supported him through this time.
“Thank you to everyone for the love, prayers and kind messages over the past few days,” he said. “Shireen and Praise are doing great, and my heart is full of gratitude. Welcoming my son into the world is one of the greatest blessings God has ever given to me.”
Belgium, who have drawn their opening two World Cup games against Egypt and Iran, are next up against New Zealand in Vancouver on Friday for their final Group G fixture, which Doku looks set to be available for.
