Overview
- Belgium opened their World Cup campaign on Monday, June 15, with Doku expected to start against Egypt and remain with the squad for group play.
- Doku told reporters he wants to be present for the birth of his first child, which his wife is due in the second week of July when the tournament reaches the quarter-final stage.
- Belgian outlets say contingency plans are being developed to let Doku leave the U.S. briefly and fly to England, with a private charter the most likely option being discussed.
- Defender Brandon Mechele faces a similar timing issue with his partner due a week after Doku’s wife, creating the prospect of more than one temporary absence if Belgium progress.
- The federation has signaled it understands the players’ situations and will try to accommodate them, but any departures will depend on exact birth timing and Belgium’s advancement in the tournament.