Cody Gakpo unborn son loss has become one of the most emotionally significant storylines of the 2026 World Cup, not because of anything that happened on the pitch, but because of the extraordinary way the Netherlands forward chose to navigate one of the hardest moments a family can face while continuing to represent his country on the world’s biggest sporting stage. Gakpo and his partner, model Noa van der Bij, announced on Saturday June 27 that their unborn son had died during pregnancy. What followed was a remarkable show of solidarity from the Dutch Football Association, his Netherlands teammates, and his manager Ronald Koeman, who gave Gakpo the freedom to choose whether to stay with the squad or return home, and respected his decision to remain.
What Happened: Noa van der Bij’s Announcement
The news first reached the public through a deeply personal social media post from Gakpo’s partner.
Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo’s partner announced Saturday their unborn son had died during pregnancy. Gakpo and model Noa van der Bij already have a son together, and the baby was due in October. ESPN
Van der Bij posted a photo on social media of the pair holding hands over a blanket and small knitted hat, with the announcement that the baby had passed away. “Thank you for your love and support. Elijah Raphael Gakpo. Forever loved. Forever our son,” Van der Bij wrote. ESPN
In his own post, Gakpo wrote, “This is an incredibly difficult time for our family. We kindly ask for our privacy and space. Thank you for your understanding.” ESPN
The Dutch Football Association’s Response
The KNVB, the Royal Dutch Football Association, moved quickly to make clear that Gakpo’s wellbeing came before any tournament consideration.
Gakpo is with the team at the World Cup, where the Netherlands have advanced to the knockout stage. He will stay with the team at the tournament, the Dutch Football Association confirmed. ESPN
The KNVB issued a statement reading: “We are with Cody and his family. This is a very sad private situation. Of course we knew about this and we support him in every way we can. Cody has decided, after talks with his girlfriend, to stay with the group. We respect their privacy and will make no further comments.” ESPN
The framing of that statement is notable. The decision to remain with the team was Gakpo’s own, made in consultation with Van der Bij, not an organizational expectation placed upon him by the federation or coaching staff.
Koeman’s Account: Days With Family, Then a Choice
Manager Ronald Koeman provided the fullest public account of how the situation was handled internally, speaking candidly in a pre-match press conference.
The Netherlands rallied around striker Cody Gakpo after he and his partner lost their unborn son during pregnancy, with coach Ronald Koeman and captain Virgil van Dijk hailing the couple’s fortitude. Gakpo’s partner Noa van der Bij posted about the loss on social media on Saturday, and Gakpo has been given time off to spend with family members who are staying near the team base in Kansas City as the Netherlands competes in the World Cup. Al Jazeera
“We have done what was within our power in terms of support, as players, as staff,” Koeman said. “Of course, the first few days he had the freedom to go out to his family and be with them. He dealt with it very well; there was never a moment where he said, ‘I want to go back, I want to be with the family.'” Al Jazeera
The player was given authorization to fly home from the World Cup to be with loved ones. Despite this, he remained committed to staying with the squad and was included in coach Ronald Koeman’s starting eleven against Morocco the following Monday in Monterrey. abcnews
Van Dijk’s Words: “There Are More Important Things in Life”
Netherlands captain and Liverpool teammate Virgil van Dijk offered some of the most direct public support for Gakpo ahead of the team’s round of 32 match.
“There are more important things in life. It’s very sad, but Cody deals with it, and he’s keen to go to the next round,” Van Dijk said. “He’ll do whatever he can to help the Netherlands progress, that’s where the focus lies right now.” abcnews
The relationship between Van Dijk and Gakpo extends beyond the national team. The two are also club teammates at Liverpool, where Gakpo has had a turbulent recent campaign following the dismissal of head coach Arne Slot, who had been a consistent advocate for the towering Dutch winger. abcnews
The Match: A Goal, Tears, and Teammates Rushing to Comfort Him
The most visible and emotional moment of this story unfolded during the Netherlands’ round of 32 match against Morocco on Monday.
This heartbreak was clear to see from Gakpo after he found the net against Morocco in the 71st minute on Monday, immediately collapsing to the turf in tears as teammates from both the field and the sideline rushed over to console him. Gakpo met a loose ball following a lengthy run by teammate Crysencio Summerville and fell to the ground while taking his shot. abcnews
Gakpo, 27, has now scored 10 goals for the Netherlands at major tournaments, six at the World Cup and four at the UEFA Euros, leaving him just one short of the nation’s all-time record. abcnews
The goal itself proved insufficient to send the Netherlands through. Despite Gakpo’s strike, Monday’s game ultimately didn’t go the Netherlands’ way, with Issa Diop equalizing in injury time. After extra time ended goalless, the game went to penalties, with Ismael Saibari scoring the winner for Morocco. This marked the first time the Netherlands had failed to win a World Cup knockout game since 2006, having qualified for all but one tournament during that span. abcnews
Latest Update: A Story Larger Than the Result
The Cody Gakpo unborn son loss story has continued to resonate beyond the immediate news cycle, with the football world’s response widely seen as a model for how teams can handle player grief during major tournaments.
The combination of organizational respect for Gakpo’s privacy, the genuine choice given to him about whether to stay or leave, and the emotional support visibly demonstrated by teammates on the pitch in the moment he scored, has been described across Dutch and international media as an example of how professional sport can hold space for human tragedy without instrumentalizing it.
For full coverage and continuing updates, follow ESPN, Reuters, and People.
Broader Implications: Grief, Privacy, and Professional Sport
The way Gakpo situation was handled by the KNVB, Koeman, and his teammates reflects a broader and welcome shift in how professional sports organizations approach player wellbeing during periods of profound personal loss.
A decade ago, the expectation in elite sport often defaulted toward continuity at almost any cost, with personal tragedy treated as something to be managed quietly rather than acknowledged. The KNVB’s explicit statement that the decision to remain was Gakpo’s own, paired with Koeman’s account of giving him the freedom to leave at any point, represents a meaningfully different approach, one centered on choice rather than obligation.
Pregnancy loss, including miscarriage and stillbirth, remains a subject that receives far less public discussion than its prevalence warrants. Gakpo and Van der Bij’s decision to speak publicly about losing Elijah Raphael, even briefly and while explicitly requesting privacy, has contributed to a broader conversation that many families navigating similar grief describe as isolating in silence.
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What Happens Next
The Netherlands have been eliminated from the World Cup following their penalty shootout loss to Morocco. Gakpo’s immediate plans following the tournament’s conclusion for his team have not been publicly detailed, and both he and Van der Bij have asked for continued privacy as they grieve. The KNVB has indicated it will make no further comments on the matter, in keeping with the family’s wishes.
FAQ
What happened with Cody Gakpo unborn son?
Cody Gakpo’s partner, Noa van der Bij, announced on June 27, 2026, that the couple’s unborn son had died during pregnancy. The baby, named Elijah Raphael Gakpo, had been due in October. The couple shared the news on social media while requesting privacy during this difficult time.
Did Cody Gakpo leave the World Cup after his loss?
No. Gakpo was given the freedom by the Dutch Football Association and manager Ronald Koeman to return home to be with family if he chose to. After spending the first few days with family members staying near the team’s Kansas City base, Gakpo decided, in consultation with Van der Bij, to remain with the Netherlands squad for the remainder of the World Cup.
What did Cody Gakpo teammates say about his loss?
Captain Virgil van Dijk, Gakpo’s club teammate at Liverpool as well as on the national team, said “there are more important things in life” and praised how Gakpo had handled the situation. Manager Ronald Koeman said the team had done everything within their power to support Gakpo and that he never once expressed a desire to leave the squad and return to his family.
Did Cody Gakpo play and score after announcing his loss?
Yes. Gakpo started for the Netherlands against Morocco in the World Cup round of 32 and scored in the 71st minute, immediately collapsing to the ground in tears as teammates rushed to console him. Despite his goal, the Netherlands were eliminated after Morocco equalized in injury time and won the subsequent penalty shootout.
How can people support those experiencing pregnancy loss like Cody Gakpo and Noa van der Bij?
Pregnancy loss, including miscarriage and stillbirth, affects many families and is often discussed less openly than its prevalence warrants. Organizations such as the Miscarriage and Stillbirth Support Network provide resources and community for grieving parents. Respecting a family’s stated wishes for privacy, as Gakpo and Van der Bij have requested, is also an important way to offer support during this kind of loss.
Sources and References
- ESPN: https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49199804/cody-gakpo-netherlands-2026-world-cup
- Reuters (original submission, blocked): https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/dutch-rally-around-gakpo-after-loss-unborn-son-2026-06-29/
- People (original submission, blocked): https://people.com/dutch-soccer-star-cody-gakpo-announces-pregnancy-loss-amid-world-cup-12008166
