Netherlands striker Cody Gakpo has been granted time off after he and his partner lost their unborn son during pregnancy, with coach Ronald Koeman and captain Virgil van Dijk publicly praising the couple’s strength as the team prepares for Monday’s match again
In Kansas City, the World Cup schedule keeps moving. But for Cody Gakpo, the days around the team base have taken on a different meaning.
The Netherlands have rallied around their striker after Gakpo and his partner lost their unborn son during pregnancy. His partner, Noa van der Bij, posted about the loss on social media on Saturday. Gakpo has since been given time off to spend with family members who are staying near the team base as the Netherlands competes in the World Cup.
Coach Ronald Koeman said the team’s response has been about making space where it mattered most. “We have done what was within our power in terms of support, as players, as staff,” Koeman said.
He added that for the first few days, Gakpo had the freedom he needed to be with his family. “Of course, the first few days he had the freedom to go out to his family and be with them. He dealt with it very well; there was never a moment where he said. ‘I want to go back. I want to be with the family.’”.
Captain Virgil van Dijk also spoke directly about the moment, describing his respect for how Gakpo and his family have handled the situation. Van Dijk said he expected the striker to be fully focused for the Netherlands’ next test in the tournament.
“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. It’s very sad but Cody deals with it,” van Dijk said. “He’s very mature, very adult. I have lots of respect for the way he and his family are handling this. However awful it is, I respect it very much.”.
Gakpo has not commented on the loss himself. Even so, van Dijk’s message carried a clear expectation: Gakpo is expected to play in Monday’s clash against Morocco in the last 32.
The Netherlands’ public show of support—Koeman’s insistence on giving Gakpo time and van Dijk’s focus on what the striker needs—has shaped the team’s immediate rhythm. In the background, the World Cup remains unchanged. Up front, the priority is unmistakable: football can wait, but the players still have to walk back onto the field.
Cody Gakpo Netherlands World Cup Ronald Koeman Virgil van Dijk Noa van der Bij Morocco last 32 unborn son Kansas City
Heartbreaking. But honestly he’ll probably still be forced to play cuz schedules don’t care.
Wait I thought it said he lost his dad? Unborn son pregnancy is so awful though. Glad they gave him time, but I feel bad for the team too because like, Kansas City time or whatever.
The coach is talking like it was “within our power” like idk man. Then the captain says football is secondary but also expect him to play Monday vs Morocco… so which is it? Life is priority, but the World Cup still gotta happen.
My cousin had something similar and the team thing always feels weird to me. Like how can they just be in the World Cup bubble while someone’s going through that? They should’ve canceled the match or at least let him sit out the whole round. Also people acting like Virgil knows exactly what to say… he’s a great player but still, cmon.