On Saturday, Liverpool and Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo and his partner Noa van der Bij announced the loss of their unborn son, Elijah. The couple, who already have a son Samuel born in 2024, had been expecting a second child due in October. Van der Bij shared the news on Instagram with a photo of a blanket and knitted hat, writing: "With broken hearts, we share the devastating news that our baby boy passed away during pregnancy." Gakpo, 27, is currently at the World Cup with the Netherlands, where he has started all three group games and scored twice against Sweden. He asked for "privacy and space" in a statement, calling it "an incredibly difficult time for our family."
Pregnancy loss, including stillbirth and miscarriage, is a deeply personal tragedy that affects many families. In the UK, around one in four pregnancies ends in loss, yet it remains a topic often shrouded in silence. When a high-profile athlete like Gakpo experiences such a loss while in the public eye, it can bring wider awareness and compassion. The Dutch football federation KNVB noted Gakpo had missed team training four days earlier for a "good reason," but did not disclose details. Van der Bij, a model, has been in the United States supporting Gakpo during the tournament.
“Cody Gakpo and partner Noa van der Bij announce loss of unborn son Elijah; context and impact for fans.”
Cody Gakpo joined Liverpool from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023 for an initial £35.4m. He has scored 50 goals in 180 appearances for the club, becoming only the second Dutchman after Dirk Kuyt to reach a half-century for Liverpool. In the 2024-25 season under then-manager Arne Slot, he netted 18 goals and provided seven assists, earning a long-term contract last summer. However, his form dipped in 2025-26 to nine goals and six assists, and his role at Liverpool is now facing uncertainty after the club signed winger Victor Munoz for £34.5m and expressed interest in 19-year-old Yan Diomande for a potential £86m package. Management changes have also occurred: Andoni Iraola replaced Slot as head coach in 2025. Despite this, Gakpo remains a versatile attacker who can play across the front line.
For UK readers, Gakpo is a familiar Premier League figure, and his personal tragedy resonates with fans who follow football closely. The public response has been supportive: Liverpool fans on social media expressed condolences, with one tweet viewed over 213,000 times saying, "Sending our thoughts, love and condolences to Cody Gakpo and his family." The couple's announcement also highlights the need for empathy and privacy during grief. Van der Bij shared a subsequent image of a candle in a church, writing that they took their son Samuel to a playground where they met another child named Elijah — "a beautiful sign from God" that their baby "is never far away."
Q: What happened to Cody Gakpo's unborn baby? Noa van der Bij announced on Instagram that their son, Elijah Raphael Gakpo, passed away during pregnancy. The baby was due in October. She shared a photo of a blanket and knitted hat, describing the loss as "devastating news."
Q: Why did Gakpo ask for privacy? Gakpo wrote on social media that the loss was "an incredibly difficult time for our family" and asked for "privacy and space." He was with the Netherlands squad at the World Cup in Mexico, where the team faces Morocco in the last 32.
Q: How has the football community responded? Liverpool fans and Dutch supporters offered condolences on social media. The Dutch football federation KNVB had earlier said Gakpo's absence from a training session was for a "good reason." Liverpool's motto "You'll Never Walk Alone" was used by fans in messages of support.
What happens next? Gakpo is expected to continue playing for the Netherlands in the World Cup knockout stages. His club future at Liverpool remains under scrutiny amid new signings, but his immediate priority is family and grieving. The couple has not disclosed further details about the loss or any plans for a memorial. If you have been affected by pregnancy loss, support is available through the BBC Action Line and other charities.