Cody Gakpo requests privacy after unborn son's death
Short overview
Liverpool and Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo has asked for privacy following the loss of his unborn son. His partner Noa van der Bij announced the stillbirth on social media, saying the baby boy died during pregnancy.
Liverpool and Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo has asked for "privacy and space" following the loss of his unborn son. His partner, model Noa van der Bij, announced the news on Saturday, revealing that their baby boy died during pregnancy.
The couple were expecting their second child together, with the baby due in October. Van der Bij shared a picture on social media of the pair holding hands over a blanket and a knitted hat. In the post, she wrote: "With broken hearts, we share the devastating news that our baby boy passed away during pregnancy. Thank you for your love and support. Elijah Raphael Gakpo. Forever loved. Forever our son."
She later posted a photo of a candle and a cross, with a message describing a visit to church: "We went to church to light a candle. Afterward, we walked to the church playground with our son Samuel. 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's statement
In a post of his own, Gakpo, who is currently on international duty with the Netherlands at the World Cup, wrote: "This is an incredibly difficult time for our family. We kindly ask for our privacy and space. Thank you for your understanding."
On-field commitments
The 27-year-old forward has started all three of the Netherlands' group-stage matches, helping his country advance to the knockout rounds. He scored twice against Sweden during the group phase. The Netherlands are scheduled to face Morocco in the round of 32 on Tuesday at 02:00 BST in Mexico.
If you have been affected by the issues in this story, help and support is available at BBC Action Line.
More on these topics
Uefa set to drop Fifa boycott threat after assurances
Uefa is expected to lift its threat of boycotting Fifa competitions after receiving assurances that plans to sell World Cup stakes to private investors will not be revived. The decision, to be discussed at Thursday's executive committee meeting, would allow the Under-20 Women's World Cup in Poland to proceed.
Graham Arnold signs six-month extension as Iraq head coach
Graham Arnold has signed a six-month contract extension with the Iraq Football Association, keeping him at the helm for the Gulf Cup and the 2025 AFC Asian Cup. Despite a four-year offer, Arnold chose a shorter term, citing mutual interests.
England Women U20s squad named amid Fifa boycott threat
England Women U20s head coach Lydia Bedford has named her 21-player squad for the Fifa U20s Women's World Cup in Poland, amid threats of a European boycott over the controversial Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal. The tournament runs from 5 to 27 September.
Senegal's Ndiaye: From Bundesliga Debut to World Cup Stage
Bara Sapoko Ndiaye, an 18-year-old midfielder, made his FIFA World Cup debut for Senegal in 2026 after a rapid rise from Bayern Munich's youth setup. His journey highlights a new generation of Senegalese talent poised to lead the national team.
