Cody Gakpo and his partner Noa van der Bij are navigating heartbreak.
The Dutch soccer player, who is currently playing for the Netherlands in the World Cup, announced June 27 that they had experienced a pregnancy loss.
“This is an incredibly difficult time for our family,” Gakpo, 27, shared on his Instagram Story, per People. “We kindly ask for privacy and space. Thank you for understanding.”
And van der Bij also mourned the loss, noting on her June 27 Instagram Story, “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.”
The 27-year-old—who shares Samuël Seth, 14 months, with Gakpo—later shared that she went to church to light a candle in honor of her second son. Shortly after her visit, she said she received a “beautiful sign” in the midst of her grief.
“Afterward, we walked to the church playground with our son Samuël,” she shared in another Instagram Story post. “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."
The couple first announced the pregnancy on May 30, posting a photo of themselves with Samuël, who wore a cap that said “Big Brother.”
As for Gakpo, the Dutch Football Association shared that he will continue to play during the 2026 World Cup, with the Netherlands scheduled to compete against Morocco on June 29.
"First and foremost, our thoughts are with Cody and his family, Noa and their son Samuel," the association said in a statement to People. "This is a very sad, private situation. We were, of course, already aware of what had happened, and we are supporting the family wherever we can. After discussing the situation with his partner, Cody has decided to remain with the team.”