Cody Gakpo’s grief laid bare as Oranje focus shifts from joy to sorrow

Dutch football is reeling after Cody Gakpo and his partner Noa van der Bij revealed the heartbreaking loss of their unborn son. The couple, who welcomed their first son Samuël in 2024, shared the devastating news on Saturday, just days before the Netherlands’ World Cup Round of 16 clash with Morocco. In an Instagram post, Van der Bij confirmed the loss, writing: “With a broken heart we share the awful news that our son passed away during the pregnancy.” Gakpo, a Liverpool attacker and Netherlands international, has been a key figure for Oranje at the tournament, featuring in all three of their group-stage matches. The couple had announced the upcoming arrival of their second child in May, naming their unborn son Elijah Raphael Gakpo in their tribute. Gakpo’s club commitments with Liverpool and international duties with the Netherlands now face uncertainty as the situation unfolds.

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“Thank you for all the support,” Van der Bij added in her post, underscoring the couple’s gratitude amid their grief. The Netherlands, who topped their World Cup group, face Morocco in Monterrey on Tuesday at 03:00 local time. Gakpo’s absence from training on Sunday raised questions about his participation in the upcoming match. The club and federation have yet to issue formal statements regarding his status.