The Netherlands rallies around Cody Gakpo after the striker loses his unborn son

The Netherlands has backed striker Cody Gakpo after he and his partner lost their unborn son during pregnancy. Coach Ronald Koeman and captain Virgil van Dijk applauded the couple’s steadfastness.

Gakpo’s partner, Noa van der Bij, posted about the loss on social media on Saturday and the forward has been given time off to spend with family, who are staying near the team’s base in Kansas City while the Netherlands participates in the World Cup.

“We did what was within our power in terms of support, as players and as staff,” said Koeman.

«Of course, in the first few days he had the freedom to go to his family and be with them. He handled it very well, there was never a moment where he said: ‘I want to go back, I want to be with the family’.»

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Van Dijk said he had «great respect» for the way Gakpo and his family had handled the situation and said he expected the striker to fully concentrate on Monday’s last-32 match against Morocco.

“The most important thing is to ask, ‘What do you need?’ It’s terrible news and it shows that football is secondary. There are more important things in life. It is very sad, but Cody has to deal with it,” said Van Dijk.

«He is very mature, very mature. I have a lot of respect for the way he and his family are dealing with this. As terrible as it is, I have a lot of respect for it.»

Gakpo has not commented but is expected to play in Monday’s match.

Published on June 29, 2026