Gakpo Ready for Morocco After Unthinkable Loss

Cody Gakpo will start against Morocco just days after losing his child during pregnancy. Ronald Koeman calls it "beautiful maturity." Van Dijk says it shows football comes second.

Match Essentials

• KickoffMon 22:00
• VenueMonterrey
• Gakpo StatusAvailable
• Group Stage5-1 Sweden
• Winner FacesCanada

The Decision That Defined Maturity

Ronald Koeman stood before reporters and delivered news that had nothing to do with tactics. Cody Gakpo, his 25-year-old forward, had just endured the kind of loss that stops time—his partner Noa van der Bij announced Saturday that they'd lost their baby during pregnancy. The Dutch Football Association released him from camp. He went home. And then he came back.

"It was very sad news we received," Koeman said at the press conference. "Cody and his family... we did everything to support him, as players and staff. In recent days he was released to go to his family. He dealt with it well. There wasn't a moment when he said he wanted to leave. That's the way he carries it and it shows maturity. He's ready to play. I don't think it will be a burden on his performance. He handles things his own way. It's strong, beautiful and we give him our support. He can count on us."

Strong. Beautiful. Two words you don't expect in a World Cup preview, but here they are. Gakpo will be on the pitch Monday night in Monterrey, facing Morocco in a last-16 tie that suddenly feels like it carries weight beyond the scoreline. Van Dijk, the captain, put it plainly: "As the coach said, the most important thing is to ask what he needs. It's horrible news. It shows football is in second place and there are more important things. Cody handles it and is ready for the last 16."

The Road to Monterrey

The Netherlands came through Group C without breaking stride—2-2 with Japan on June 14 in Dallas, a 5-1 demolition of Sweden six days later in Houston, then a 3-1 win over Tunisia in Kansas City on June 25. Gakpo has been central to that march, his movement and finishing a constant threat. Now he returns to the knockout bracket carrying something no game plan can account for.

Morocco await Monday at 22:00 Brasília time. The winner gets Canada in the round of 16. It's the kind of fixture that would normally be analyzed through possession stats and defensive shape. Instead, the story is about a 25-year-old who chose to come back.

Netherlands at World Cup 2026

• Jun 14, 17:00 Netherlands 2-2 Japan — Dallas
• Jun 20, 14:00 Netherlands 5-1 Sweden — Houston
• Jun 25, 20:00 Tunisia 1-3 Netherlands — Kansas City
• Jun 29, 22:00 Netherlands vs Morocco — Monterrey • Last 16

What Comes Next

Koeman made clear there's no pressure from the coaching staff. "We did everything to support him," he repeated. The Dutch camp closed ranks around Gakpo when the news broke. Van der Bij's announcement on Saturday was met with an outpouring from Dutch football circles, and the federation acted immediately to grant him leave.

Now the question isn't whether Gakpo can play—it's what it means that he chose to. In a tournament where every margin matters, where a single goal can end a campaign, the Netherlands will field a player who just lived through something far bigger than a World Cup. Koeman called it maturity. Van Dijk called it strength. Whatever you call it, Gakpo will be on the pitch Monday, and Morocco will have to deal with him.

FAQ

Ronald Koeman confirmed Gakpo is available and ready to play in the last-16 match on Monday. He was granted leave after the pregnancy loss but returned to the squad and is not expected to be withdrawn from the starting lineup.

Gakpo's partner Noa van der Bij announced the pregnancy loss on Saturday, June 28. The Dutch Football Association released him from the training camp to be with his family, and he returned ahead of the Morocco match.

The winner of Monday's last-16 match in Monterrey will face Canada in the round of 16. The match kicks off at 22:00 Brasília time.