Jeremy Doku Returns to Belgium World Cup Squad After Welcoming Son

Jeremy Doku Returns to Belgium World Cup Squad After Welcoming Son

  • Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku travelled from the United States to London for the birth of his first child
  • The football star welcomed a son named Praise with his wife, Shireen, after receiving medical clearance to travel
  • The Belgian player returned to the team camp in Seattle following a television commentary controversy

Desmond Blackmore, known professionally as D-Black, was not the only public figure making family waves recently, as international football star Jérémy Doku has also shared a massive family milestone.

Jeremy Doku, Manchester City, Belgium national team, birth of son, Praise Doku, football player news, medical clearance travel, World Cup squad, family, Desmond Blackmore
Belgian football star Jeremy Doku shares an update after leaving camp to welcome the birth of his son in London.
Source: Instagram

The 24-year-old Manchester City and Belgium winger briefly departed his national team's camp in the United States to fly to London, arriving just in time to stand by his wife Shireen for the birth of their first child, a son named Praise.

Why did Doku leave the camp?

The baby was initially expected to arrive in mid-July, but the early delivery forced an unexpected adjustment to the player's schedule.

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Doku had already been sidelined for Belgium’s 0-0 draw against Iran due to illness, which made it easier for the team’s medical staff to grant him a green light to make the trans-Atlantic journey.

Team doctor Brahim Hacene confirmed that the medical unit handled the logistics smoothly, even arranging for another doctor to accompany the winger on his round trip to ensure his health remained stable. With the birth completed, Doku flew straight back to Seattle on Tuesday night to rejoin his teammates.

The winger's choice to leave the tournament briefly generated a lot of conversations online after French television presenter France Pierron harshly criticised him on L’Équipe de Choc, questioning whether a player should risk leaving a World Cup squad for a birth.

The presenter later offered an apology, while the media network distanced itself from her remarks and handed her a suspension.

Read more about Jeremy Doku's return in the Instagram post below.

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D-Black beams as daughter graduates from GIS

YEN.com.gh earlier reported that Ghanaian musician and businessman D-Black, whose real name is Desmond Kwesi Blackmore, alongside his child's mother, celebrated their daughter Alexis Blackmore as she graduated from the Ghana International School (GIS).

A viral video posted by @nyk_captures1 on June 21, 2026, shows the family posing together for photos and videos during her graduation and in preparation for the GIS prom night.

Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
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Ruth Sekyi (Entertainment Editor) Ruth Esi Amfua Sekyi is a Human Interest Editor at YEN.com.gh with 4+ years' experience across radio, print, TV, and digital media. She holds a B.A. in Communications (PR) from UNIMAC-IJ. Her media career began at Radio GIJ (campus radio), followed by Prime News Ghana. At InstinctWave, she worked on business content, playing major role in events organized by the company. She also worked with ABC News GH, updating their site, served as Production Assistant. In 2025, Ruth completed the ECOWAS, GIZ, and MFWA Information Integrity training. Email: ruth.sekyi@yen.com.gh