Jeremy Doku, the talented winger for Manchester City and the Belgian national team, has welcomed a baby boy named Praise with his wife Shireen.
The Belgian Football Association confirmed the news on Monday, stating that Doku, 24, was granted permission to depart the national camp shortly before their group match against Iran.
What happened?
Doku made the decision to leave the FIFA World Cup camp in the USA to be present for this significant moment in their lives.
He was already uncertain to participate in the match against Iran due to a respiratory infection that had sidelined him from training in Los Angeles.
Why it matters for Jeremy Doku
This break from the World Cup camp will allow Doku to spend time with his new family and recover from his illness.
The Belgian national team will continue their World Cup campaign without Doku, who will rejoin the team once he is fully recovered.
What comes next?
Doku's return to the team will depend on his recovery and the team's schedule, with their next match scheduled for August 22.
The Belgian Football Association will provide updates on Doku's status and his expected return to the team.
And as Doku celebrates the arrival of his first child, he will also be focused on recovering and rejoining his team for the remainder of the World Cup.
But for now, Doku is enjoying this special moment with his family, and his team is supporting him during this time.
So the Belgian national team will move forward without Doku, but they will be happy to have him back once he is fully recovered.
Doku's wife, Shireen, and their new baby boy, Praise, will be his top priority during this time, and he will be eager to get back to football once he is ready.
The World Cup will continue without Doku, but he will be back on the pitch soon, fighting for his team and his country.