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Jeremy Doku is one of the most exciting strikers in world football. The Belgium international plays for Manchester City in the Premier League and has been a regular for Belgium since 2020, competing in two European Championships and two World Cups.
Off the pitch, the 24-year-old made headlines during the 2026 World Cup when he briefly left Belgium’s training camp in June to attend the birth of his first child, a decision that caused an international media storm. At the center of this story was his wife, Shirin Doku. Read more about Shireen below:
Shireen and Jeremy got engaged in Dubai.
YouTube/Official Jeremy Doku
Screenshot from the engagement scene When two become one.
Shirin Doku was born Shirin Erin Leannda Raymond in June 1996, making her approximately six years older than Jeremy. She works as a beautician in the UK. In August 2025, during a summer vacation in Dubai, Jeremy proposed in a romantic candlelit setting. He documented the moment in an episode of his YouTube docuseries. When two become one.
“You’re my girlfriend, but I don’t want you to remain my girlfriend. I want you to be my future wife,” Jeremy says in the video. Shireen replies: “Where did you get this? I’m really shaking. Where did this come from?” But after he gets down on one knee with a diamond ring, she says yes.
They were christened together the day after the Manchester derby.
The couple share a deep Christian faith, which is central to their relationship. On 15 September 2025, the day after Manchester City’s 3-0 derby win over Manchester United (all games between Manchester City and Manchester United are considered derby games), Jeremy and Shirin were baptized together.
Before heading to church that evening, Jeremy spoke about what the day meant to him. “To be honest, for me this was already a victory,” he told reporters. “Why? Because I knew that after the game I would be baptized. Maybe that’s why I felt like I was pushed. So I’m also very happy with the performance.”
The couple tied the knot last year.
Just a couple of months after getting engaged, Jeremy and Shireen tied the knot in October. They celebrated the occasion on Instagram with a photo from the wedding and a Bible verse.
For her big day, Shireen wore a white floral lace dress with a Victorian-style high collar trimmed with scalloped eyelash lace. The long sleeves seemed to taper to dramatic bell cuffs that cascaded down her arms. The dress also featured a sheer guipure lace overlay with a fitted sheath silhouette.
The birth of their son made international news during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Shireen was due to give birth in early July 2026, which could coincide with the World Cup knockout stages in Belgium, depending on what the results were at that time. Jeremy has always been open about his intentions. “Nobody wants to miss the birth of a child,” he told reporters on June 15. “Moreover, this is my first child. But I also know that there is a lot associated with football.”
When Shireen went into labor earlier than expected, Jeremy flew back to London from the Belgian World Cup base in Renton, Washington, home of MLS club Seattle Sounders. He missed only the team’s draw with Iran (0:0). Jeremy also had a minor respiratory illness at the time. Belgium team doctor Brahim Hasene said in a statement that Jeremy “was able to fly without any medical risk to be with his family for this special moment” and that he was accompanied by a team doctor.
However, this decision drew sharp criticism from French television commentator France Pierron, who said during an appearance on Strike Team: “This outrages me. When you are lucky enough to appear at the World Cup, hundreds of football players would kill to be in your place. This is a unique moment, a childhood dream come true. And you are going to walk away from this to be at the birth of your child? Sorry, the father is useless. He is an extra.” Her own comments sparked backlash and Pierron later apologized on social media. L’Equipe later released an official statement saying her comments did not reflect the values of the news organization. Her show was later put on hiatus.
Jeremy and Shireen’s son, Praise, was born in London. “Everything went perfectly and the mother, father and child are doing great,” Khasene told the media. Belgium captain Youri Tielemans congratulated the couple via text message and told reporters about the moment: “I think having a child is the most beautiful thing in the world and being there for a father is more than normal. I have three of them and these are memories that can never be returned. So yes, very happy for him.”
Jérémie returned to the Belgian national team in Seattle shortly after his birth. In a statement on Facebook, he wrote: “Shirin and Praise are doing great and my heart is full of gratitude. Welcoming my son into the world is one of the greatest blessings God has ever given me. Thank you to the team for your support, now it’s time to return to football and represent my country on the biggest stage.”
Rachel King (she/her) is a news writer at City and country. Before you join Terms and Conditionsshe worked for almost ten years as an editor at Luck. Her travel and lifestyle works have appeared in Forbes, observer, Robb Report, Cruise criticAnd Cool huntamong others. Originally from San Francisco, she lives in New York City with her wife, daughter, and precocious Labradoodle. Follow her on Instagram at .