Dutch football mourns with Gakpo after loss of unborn son

The Netherlands national team’s hotel in Doha buzzed with quiet reflection last night as Ronald Koeman addressed the grief of Cody Gakpo. The Oranje striker and his partner Noa announced on Saturday that their unborn son Elijah had died during pregnancy. Koeman confirmed the news during his final press conference before tonight’s 16th-final clash with Morocco at 03:00 CET. Koeman described the situation as ‘very sad’ and stressed that the entire squad had done everything possible to support Gakpo. ‘We have spoken to Cody and his partner,’ Koeman said. ‘We are there for him in every way we can be.’ Gakpo, 24, has been a key figure for the Netherlands this year, scoring 12 goals in all competitions. His form has kept him in contention for the Golden Boot race at the World Cup. The striker’s absence from training on Sunday was noted, though Koeman declined to elaborate on the personal circumstances. Morocco, meanwhile, arrived in Doha with a fully fit squad. Their preparations continued as normal, with coach Walid Regragui confirming all players were available for selection. The Atlas Lions have already advanced further than at any previous World Cup, having topped their group. For the Dutch, the emotional weight of the moment contrasts sharply with the competitive stakes. The 16th-final against Morocco represents the last hurdle before a potential quarter-final against Argentina or France.

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Koeman’s words carried extra weight given his own history with personal loss. The coach lost his wife last year, a fact he has spoken about publicly in the past. His empathy with Gakpo’s situation was evident in his measured tone during the press conference. The match itself will be played under the floodlights of Education City Stadium, where temperatures are expected to drop below 20°C at kick-off. Security measures remain tight as both teams prepare for a high-stakes encounter. For Gakpo, the focus now shifts to representing his country despite the personal tragedy. His teammates have rallied around him, with several players sharing messages of support on social media over the weekend. The Dutch FA issued a brief statement on Sunday, confirming the news and asking for privacy for Gakpo and his partner. ‘Our thoughts are with Cody, Noa, and their families at this difficult time,’ the statement read. As the clock ticks toward midnight, the Oranje will take the field with more on their minds than just football. The emotional burden of supporting one of their own will be as much a test as the tactical challenge posed by Morocco.