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Aim: To identify fathers' perceptions and experiences of caring for their children with congenital heart disease. Design A qualitative systematic review. Data sources PubMed, Clinical Key, the Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence‐based practice database, CINAHL Complete, Embase and PsycINFO were searched for all journal articles published before May 2020. Review methods: After applying the selection criteria, five studies were identified reporting on fathers with children between 1 month and 12 years. The quality of the articles was evaluated. Results: Six main themes regarding fathers' perceptions and experiences of caring for their children with congenital heart disease were identified: (1) lack of disease knowledge, (2) responsibility to the family and emotional suppression, (3) gratitude for the sustained life of their children, (4) acceptance of being different from others, (5) regrouping and planning for the future and (6) the struggles of father–child relationships. Conclusion: In caring for their children with congenital heart disease, fathers are akin to a suffering warrior, full of hardship. With a self‐imposed sense of responsibility and suppressed emotions, fathers may feel lonely and hurt, but they must fight for their families and children. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Congenital heart disease is one of the most common chronic illnesses in childhood.Parents of children with congenital heart disease face cardiac‐related medical problems, decision‐making and economic circumstances throughout their healthcare experience including impact on their physiological and psychological health.Previous studies have focused on the roles of mothers of children with congenital heart disease. What this paper adds: This systematic review identifies six themes regarding fathers' perceptions and experiences of caring for their children with congenital heart disease: (1) lack of disease knowledge, (2) responsibility to the family and emotional suppression, (3) gratitude for the sustained life of their children, (4) acceptance of being different from others, (5) regrouping and planning for the future and (6) the struggles of father–child relationships.In caring for their children with congenital heart disease, fathers are akin to a suffering warrior, full of hardship.With a self‐imposed sense of responsibility and suppressed emotions, fathers may feel lonely and hurt, but they must fight for their families and children. The implications of this paper: The findings about fathers' perceptions and experiences of caring for their children with congenital heart disease can be beneficial in improving nursing practice.Health care professionals need to actively involve and support fathers in caring for their children with congenital heart disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]