Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo and his partner Noa van der Bij are facing an incredibly difficult time after announcing the loss of their unborn son. The couple, who were expecting their second child, shared the heartbreaking news with the public, revealing that their baby boy passed away during pregnancy. This devastating event has occurred while Gakpo is competing for the Netherlands national team at the 2026 World Cup.
Partner Noa van der Bij Shares Heartbreaking Pregnancy Loss News
Noa van der Bij, who is a model, shared the tragic update on social media on June 27. She posted a picture of herself and Gakpo holding hands over a blanket and a small knitted hat, along with a message that moved the entire football community.
“With broken hearts, we share the devastating news that our baby boy passed away during pregnancy. Thank you for your love and support. Elijah Raphael Gakpo. Forever loved. Forever our son.”
The couple already has a young son named Samuel, who was born in April 2025. They had shared their joy about expecting another child in May, with the baby due in October 2026.
Noa van der Bij later shared a photo of a lit candle in a church and a touching story about a sign from God. She wrote about visiting a church playground with their son Samuel. There, she noticed only one other child playing, and his name was Elijah, which is the same name she and Gakpo had chosen for their baby boy.
“There could not have been a more beautiful sign from God. He reminded us that our little boy is never far away.”
Cody Gakpo Requests Privacy and Makes Difficult Decision
Cody Gakpo, who is 27 years old, also posted a message asking for understanding during this very painful time.
“This is an incredibly difficult time for our family. We kindly ask for our privacy and space. Thank you for your understanding.”
The Netherlands national team coach Ronald Koeman and the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) confirmed that Gakpo has decided to remain with the team at the World Cup. This decision was made after discussions with his partner. Koeman and the squad have been providing support to Gakpo, and he had the freedom to leave the camp to be with his family if needed.
“First of all, we sympathise with Cody and his family, Noa and their son Samuel. This is a very sad private situation.”
Koeman shared that Gakpo handled the situation with maturity and there was never a moment where the player said he wanted to go home. The national team captain, Virgil van Dijk, also expressed support and respect for how Gakpo and his family have handled things.
“The most important thing is to ask: ‘what do you need?’ It’s awful news and it shows that football is secondary. There are more important things in life.”
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Teammates and Fans Show Support Amid World Cup
Following the announcement, fans, former players, and clubs have expressed their condolences. Liverpool FC, his club team, was among the first to offer support, while the football community on social media flooded with messages for the player.
Gakpo has been a key player for the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup. He has started all three group-stage games and scored twice in the tournament. The Netherlands advanced to the knockout stage after finishing at the top of their group.
Despite the personal loss, Cody Gakpo showed immense strength on the pitch. He started and scored the opening goal in the Netherlands’ World Cup match against Morocco. After scoring, he was seen in tears, overcome with emotion, as his teammates consoled him. He raised his arms to the air in tribute to his unborn son.
This was a powerful moment that showed the strength of the player who chose to continue playing in the tournament while dealing with such a personal tragedy. The Netherlands are continuing their World Cup journey, and Gakpo remains an important part of the squad.
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