Cody Gakpo to Stay With Netherlands Squad After Loss of Unborn Son

What happened:

Watch the highlights:

Cody Gakpo will stay with the Netherlands squad at the World Cup following the loss of his unborn son, Sky Sports reported on June 27. The source confirms the personal loss and the decision for Gakpo to remain with the national team setup.

Why it matters:

This is first and foremost a deeply personal situation, and any football analysis has to sit behind that. From a tournament perspective, the confirmed point is that the Netherlands are not immediately losing Gakpo from the squad environment. That matters because late-tournament or in-tournament disruption can force managers to rethink selection plans, training groups, attacking rotations and matchday contingencies at short notice.

Tournament impact:

Gakpo staying with the squad means the Netherlands keep one of their attacking options available unless further information changes that picture. The report does not say whether he will train, start, come off the bench, be rested, or take time away later. So the practical impact is not that his role is guaranteed; it is that the squad has not yet been reshaped around an absence.

For fans tracking the Dutch campaign, the key distinction is availability versus involvement. A player can remain with the group and still have his minutes managed, his role adjusted, or his participation decided closer to matchday. The source only confirms his decision to stay, not the coaching staff's next selection decision.

What to watch:

The next signals will come from Netherlands team news, training visibility, and any official squad updates. If Gakpo remains in regular preparation, the football impact may be limited in structural terms. If he is given space or reduced involvement, the Netherlands may need to lean more heavily on other forward options without necessarily making a formal squad change.

Confidence:

Confirmed by the source: Gakpo suffered the loss of his unborn son and will stay with the Netherlands squad at the World Cup. Still needing follow-up: his training status, match availability, role in the next fixture, and whether the Netherlands make any tactical or selection adjustment around him.