Gakpo Family Loss
Cody Gakpo and Partner Announce Devastating Miscarriage During World Cup Campaign
Key Points
Pregnancy was publicly revealed in May, with reports noting that Cody Gakpo had revealed four weeks earlier that he and Noa van der Bij were expecting their second son.
There is inconsistency in reports about their first child's birth year: some outlets list Samuël Seth Gakpo as born in 2018, while others say 2024.
Noa van der Bij is described in coverage as a model who works with a modelling agency.
Elijah Raphael Gakpo's name was publicly shared in the couple's announcements about the unborn son.
Cody Gakpo and his partner Noa van der Bij have lost their unborn son, Elijah Raphael Gakpo, to a miscarriage during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. BBC reported that Noa announced the tragedy on Instagram on June 27, writing: "With broken hearts, we share the devastating news that our baby boy passed away during pregnancy. Elijah Raphael Gakpo. Forever loved. Forever our son."
The loss comes just weeks after the couple revealed their pregnancy on May 30. Gakpo, 27, has been representing the Netherlands in the United States throughout the tournament. The Liverpool forward scored twice in a 5-1 win over Sweden on June 20 before helping the Dutch beat Tunisia 3-1 on June 26 to top their group, all while privately enduring devastating news at home.
Pregnancy Announced in May, Then Suddenly Lost
Gakpo and Noa announced their second pregnancy on May 30 with a joint Instagram post. "Our little family is growing," they wrote. "We can't wait to meet you." The couple had already named their unborn son Elijah Raphael Gakpo before his death, according to Liverpool Echo.
Their first son, Samuël Seth Gakpo, was born on April 25, 2024. Some international outlets had incorrectly reported a 2018 birth year, but that date appears to be a mix-up with Gakpo's professional debut at PSV Eindhoven. Samuël is two years old. The family had been building toward welcoming a second child when the loss occurred.
A Sign from God at a Church Playground
In an emotional follow-up post, Noa described going to a church to light a candle for Elijah. She then walked to a nearby playground with young Samuël. Liverpool Echo reported her words: "There was only one other child there. His name was Elijah. There could not have been a more beautiful sign from God. He reminded us that our little boy is never far away."
Gakpo is a devout Christian who has spoken publicly about how faith grounds him. The spiritual moment offered Noa some comfort during an otherwise devastating week. She had traveled to the United States to watch Gakpo play in the group stages of the World Cup.
Gakpo Played On While Family Faced Tragedy
Days before the public announcement, Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported that Gakpo did not board the team bus for training on June 23. He was transported separately by car, hinting that personal matters were being handled quietly behind the scenes, according to Express.
Despite the grief, Gakpo remained on the pitch. He finished the group stage with 2 goals and 1 assist in 3 appearances. Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman is credited with supporting the player throughout, allowing travel accommodations to help Gakpo manage his situation privately while the team advanced to the knockout rounds.
Family Asks for Privacy as World Reacts
Gakpo has not spoken at a press conference about the loss. Through club representatives, he asked for "privacy as his family endures an incredibly difficult time," Express reported. The Dutch Football Association has not announced whether Gakpo will take compassionate leave ahead of the knockout rounds.
The reaction online was swift. Within one hour of Noa's post, news about Elijah's death had gathered over 213,000 views on X, formerly Twitter. Liverpool and Netherlands fans flooded the couple's social media with messages of support, many using the club's anthem phrase "You'll Never Walk Alone."
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