World Cup 2026: French journalist criticized for attacking Jeremy Doku banned from broadcasting

French journalist France Pierron was removed from his job after criticizing Belgian footballer Jeremy Doku for leaving the World Cup to be present at the birth of his first child. On match day 12, four matches will be played, with the first being Argentina vs Austria. Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in the opening match and became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.

On match day 12 of the football World Cup on 22 June 2026, games continue in the US, but attention is also drawn to a dispute that has become painful: French journalist France Pierron has been removed from his job after criticizing Belgian striker Jeremy Doku, who left the World Cup to be present at the birth of his first child.

Journalist loses job over Doku criticism

According to French journalist Clément Garin, his compatriot France Pierron has been removed from his job because of his comments. Doku's decision to leave the tournament squad for his child's birth sparked widespread debate about what obligations top athletes have to their families.

On this topic, it is worth recalling the words of legendary Lithuanian basketball coach Šarūnas Jasikevičius nine years ago, when his player Augusto Lima missed a semi-final match due to his child's birth: "The birth of a child is the most beautiful thing in life. Nothing is more important than that, not any title or anything else."

Messi, World Cup's all-time leading scorer

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi became football's most prolific goalscorer in World Cup history after scoring a hat-trick in the tournament's opening match, bringing his tally to 16 major tournament goals, surpassing previous record holder Miroslav Klose.

Austria's head coach Ralf Rangnick openly praised the Argentines: "We have found very few weaknesses in the Argentine team, if any at all. Their squad is individually exceptionally well-stocked and in their ranks is the best player who has ever existed. We must prove that we are one of the best teams in this tournament."

Argentina's fan army has gathered on the streets of Dallas, where the atmosphere is vibrant.

Four matches and Egypt's first World Cup joy

The first match of the day, Argentina vs Austria, kicks off at 20:00 Estonian time. During the night and early morning, France vs Iraq, Norway vs Senegal, and Jordan vs Algeria will follow.

The standout event of the previous day was Egypt's 3:1 victory over New Zealand, the first World Cup match win in the country's history. Egyptian fans took over Vancouver's Granville Street, where, alongside pyrotechnics, political slogans were also heard.

Norwegian national team fans have captured Americans' hearts during the tournament with their characteristic Viking rowing, similar to Iceland's famous thunderclap that became famous at Euro 2016. The massive presence of Norwegian fans at New York's Times Square went viral around the world.