Jürgenmy Doku, a winger for Belgium, has declared his intention to retire from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in order to help his wife as they get ready to welcome their first child back home.

The football player claims that even though Belgium is in the competition’s critical knockout stage, where each game has grown more difficult, the decision was made without warning.

Doku thanked his supporters who have supported him during the competition and praised the efforts made by his colleagues. But right now, he argued, family has to come first.

The winger added that his wife’s impending due date made him recognise where he needed to be in a statement announcing his withdrawal from the competition.

“I’ve decided to withdraw from world cup and return to my wife to stay by her side as we welcome the birth of our child and all these decisions comes rather abruptly. The team is right in the crucial knockout stage and every match is a grueling battle. Everyone has given their best for the victory. As a footballer, I love this sport deeply, I cherish my teammates we fight alongside with me and I hold every fan that support me close to my heart. Yet when my wife told me her due date was drawing nearer my heart made it clear. My family needs me right now.”

Football fans’ reactions to the news have been mixed. While some have praised the 24-year-old for putting family first, others have talked about how his absence would affect Belgium’s World Cup campaign.