local
TV host apologizes after criticizing player who left World Cup for birth of 1st child
By Katharine Lee at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS)
· June 23, 2026
· 3 min read
A French broadcaster has apologized after receiving backlash for saying Belgium’s Jérémy Doku shouldn’t miss his World Cup game for his baby’s birth.
Doku said earlier in June that he intended to be by his wife’s side when she went into labor — even if the timing coincides with the tournament’...
Key takeaway Doku said earlier in June that he intended to be by his wife’s side when she went into labor — even if the timing coincides with the tournament’s quarterfinal stage.
Why this matters in The Trophy Club
Trophy Club residents who are parents or soon-to-be parents can likely relate to Jérémy Doku's decision to prioritize his family over the World Cup. The controversy surrounding France Pierron's comments may spark a local conversation about work-life balance and the role of fathers in childbirth. In a community like Trophy Club, where family values are often emphasized, Doku's choice may be seen as a positive example of putting family first. The fact that Pierron faced backlash and apologized for her comments suggests that many people, including those in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, value and support the involvement of fathers in significant family moments like the birth of a child. As the story continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how local parents and families in Trophy Club respond to the situation and what discussions it may prompt about parenting and priorities.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) . The Trophy Club surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A French broadcaster has apologized after receiving backlash for saying Belgium’s Jérémy Doku shouldn’t miss his World Cup game for his baby’s birth.
Doku said earlier in June that he intended to be by his wife’s side when she went into labor — even if the timing coincides with the tournament’...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) and curated for The Trophy Club readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Katharine Lee at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS). To learn more about how The Trophy Club selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Trophy Club, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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