Football must wait: Liverpool star Cody Gakpo & partner share devastating news during World Cup

Last Updated on 27 June 2026

There are moments when football feels very small. This is one of them. While, other argue whether players should put personal milestones over their countries, this is different.

As the Netherlands prepare to enter the knockout stage of the World Cup, one of their most important players is carrying a grief that no tournament, no result, and no goal can touch.

While Netherlands prepare to take on Morocco next week, it remains to be seen if the Liverpool winger, Cody Gakpo takes to the pitch.

Elijah Raphael Gakpo: forever loved, forever their son

Cody Gakpo and his partner Noa van der Bij announced on Saturday that they had lost their baby boy during pregnancy.

Van der Bij posted to her Instagram story, saying: “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 had announced in May that they were expecting another boy. They already have one son, Samuel, who was born in 2024. Van der Bij was in the stands supporting Gakpo for the Netherlands’ World Cup opener against Japan, with the couple operating a business, too.

In a subsequent post, she shared a moving account of visiting a church to light a candle in memory of their son, where they encountered another little boy named Elijah. “There could not have been a more beautiful sign from God,” she wrote.

Dutch outlet De Telegraaf reported that Gakpo did not get off the team bus for training four days ago, though the KNVB said there was a good reason and he was later brought to training by car. The football world moved quickly to show support, with fans and players sending love.

What This Means for Netherlands Going Forward

Despite the devastating loss, Gakpo has continued to represent the Netherlands at the World Cup, contributing two goals and an assist in their group stage matches. He was instrumental in their wins over Sweden and Tunisia, helping the Dutch finish top of Group F.

Netherlands now face Morocco in the Round of 32: a significant test of a side that has looked genuinely threatening in attack. Whether Gakpo travels or requires time away with his family remains to be confirmed by the KNVB.

Ronald Koeman will handle this with every sensitivity it demands. Whatever happens next in this tournament, it matters a great deal less than it did this morning. The thoughts of the football world are with Cody, Noa, Samuel, and little Elijah.