Gakpo’s Personal Loss and World Cup Performance
Cody Gakpo, a forward for the Netherlands and Liverpool, recently experienced a profound personal loss during the 2026 World Cup. He confirmed the death of his unborn son, Elijah Raphael Gakpo, during pregnancy. Despite this devastating news, Gakpo chose to remain with the Dutch national team, balancing his professional commitments with his family’s grief. The announcement was made via social media, leading to a wave of sympathy across the footballing world.
Gakpo, who is also a father to a one-year-old son named Samuël with his partner, Noa van der Bij, requested privacy during this difficult time. The Royal Dutch Football Association and the wider football community have offered widespread support to Gakpo as he navigates elite competition alongside his personal trauma.
During the Netherlands’ Round of 32 match against Morocco, Gakpo scored a goal, putting his side 1–0 ahead. He was visibly emotional after scoring, collapsing to the ground in tears. His teammates from both the pitch and the bench rushed to comfort him, highlighting the deeply emotional nature of the moment. Noa van der Bij later paid tribute to her partner on Instagram, sharing an image of Gakpo’s celebration where he pointed to the sky, accompanied by an orange heart and praying hands emoji, with the caption: “So proud.”
Family’s Grief and Team Support
Noa van der Bij first disclosed the loss on Saturday, 27 June, through an Instagram post that included a photograph and a tribute to their baby boy. She wrote, “With broken hearts, we share the devastating news that our baby boy passed away during pregnancy.” She later added, “Thank you for your love and support. Elijah Raphael Gakpo. Forever loved. Forever our son.” Gakpo reposted this tribute on his own Instagram Stories, asking for understanding during what he described as one of the most difficult periods his family has faced. He stated, “This is an incredibly difficult time for our family. We kindly ask for privacy and space. Thank you for understanding.”
In a separate post, Gakpo echoed the sentiment, saying, “This is an incredibly difficult time for our family. We kindly ask for our privacy and space. Thank you for your understanding.” The revelation prompted an overwhelming wave of sympathy for Gakpo and his family. Virgil van Dijk, a teammate, commented on the situation, stating that being there for Cody was the most important thing and that football becomes a side issue in such moments. He added that Gakpo dealt with the situation very maturely and expressed respect for how Gakpo, Noa, and his family handled it.
The Dutch Football Association confirmed that Gakpo would remain with the national team after discussions with his family. The association released a statement saying, “First and foremost, our thoughts are with Cody and his family, Noa and their son Samuel. This is a very sad, private situation.” They further stated, “We were, of course, already aware of what had happened, and we are supporting the family wherever we can. After discussing the situation with his partner, Cody has decided to remain with the team. We respect their privacy and will therefore not comment further on the situation, including the ways in which we are supporting them.”
World Cup Journey Continues Amidst Challenges
Gakpo’s goal against Morocco initially appeared to secure the Netherlands a place in the World Cup last 16. However, Morocco equalized in stoppage time through Issa Diop, forcing the match into penalties. Morocco ultimately won the shootout 3–2, leading to the Netherlands’ elimination from the tournament. Gakpo started every match of the campaign for his country, finishing as the team’s standout attacking threat with three goals. He became the second-highest all-time Dutch scorer at a single World Cup. He was substituted in the 113th minute of extra time and did not participate in the penalty shootout.
Only weeks before sharing their devastating news, Gakpo and Van der Bij had announced the prospect of expanding their family. On 30 May, the couple jointly announced the pregnancy on Instagram, sharing family photographs that included Samuël wearing a blue cap embroidered with the words ‘big brother’. Van der Bij wrote, “Our little family is growing 🤍 we can’t wait to meet you.” This announcement followed the birth of their first child, Samuël Seth, on 24 April 2025. Earlier this year, Gakpo marked his son’s first birthday with a heartfelt tribute celebrating the impact of fatherhood on his life, stating, “One year ago, you came into our lives and changed everything in the most beautiful way. Today we celebrate you, our little happy boy, our everything. We love you forever Samuël Seth.”
Noa van der Bij later shared a personal moment from the family’s day of remembrance, describing how after lighting a candle inside a church, they walked to an adjoining playground with their son Samuël. She noted that there was only one other child there, whose name was Elijah, describing the encounter as “a beautiful sign.”
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Source: uk.sports.yahoo.com
Priya Nair
Sports Reporter
