Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo revealed that he and his family recently suffered the loss of an unborn child, adding emotional context to his performances during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Netherlands’ eventual elimination against Morocco.

The revelation came following the Dutch team’s exit from the tournament after a penalty shootout loss to Morocco in the knockout stage. While much of the post-match discussion centered on the result and the Netherlands’ inability to advance, Gakpo’s comments highlighted the personal challenges he had been carrying throughout the competition.

Despite dealing with the tragedy, Gakpo remained one of the Netherlands’ most important players during the World Cup. The forward consistently contributed in attack and was among the team’s standout performers against Morocco. His ability to continue competing at a high level while managing significant personal grief earned praise from supporters and observers throughout the football community.

The Netherlands entered the tournament with ambitions of making a deep run and appeared capable of competing with the world’s strongest teams. Against Morocco, the Dutch created opportunities and delivered a competitive performance, but ultimately fell short in a closely contested match that was decided from the penalty spot. The result marked a disappointing end to the country’s World Cup campaign.

For Gakpo, the tournament’s conclusion carries a significance that extends beyond football. Professional athletes are often judged solely by performances on the field, but his situation served as a reminder of the personal challenges many players face away from the game. Balancing the demands of international competition while coping with a family tragedy represented a difficult challenge during one of the sport’s most high-profile events.

The response from teammates, supporters and members of the broader football community reflected the respect many have for Gakpo’s resilience. While results and performances often dominate headlines during major tournaments, stories involving personal hardship frequently resonate beyond the sport itself.

Morocco’s victory ensured its historic World Cup journey would continue, while the Netherlands was left to reflect on another tournament that ended earlier than hoped. For Gakpo, however, the World Cup will likely be remembered for more than the result. His performances throughout the competition demonstrated professionalism and determination during an extraordinarily difficult period in his personal life.

As the football world looks ahead to future international competitions, Gakpo remains a key figure for the Netherlands. Although the tournament ended in disappointment on the field, the support shown to him following his revelation underscores the human side of sport and the challenges athletes often navigate beyond the spotlight.

Morocco advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating the Netherlands in a dramatic penalty shootout, continuing another impressive chapter in the country’s rise as one of international football’s most competitive nations.

The match remained closely contested throughout regulation and extra time, with both teams creating opportunities but struggling to find a decisive winner. The Netherlands relied on its technical quality and attacking movement, while Morocco once again showcased the defensive organization, physicality, and resilience that have become hallmarks of the national team’s success in recent years.

Netherlands scored first with a great goal by Cody Gakpo in the 72nd minute, and later on in the dying minutes of the game, Morocco tied the game with a goal by Issa Diop. After neither side could break the deadlock in extra time, the contest moved to penalties, where Morocco displayed remarkable composure. Their goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, showed composure and intelligence in being able to make key saves during the shootout. The North African side converted its opportunities from the spot and received key contributions from its legendary goalkeeper to secure advancement into the next round.

The result represents another significant achievement for Morocco, which has continued to build on the momentum generated by its historic performances in recent international tournaments. The team has become one of Africa’s most respected football programs and has consistently demonstrated an ability to compete against some of Europe’s strongest nations.

For the Netherlands, the elimination will be a disappointing conclusion to a tournament that carried high expectations. The Dutch entered the competition with aspirations of making a deep run, but once again found themselves on the wrong side of a penalty shootout in a major international tournament.

Morocco’s victory also carries broader significance for African football. The continent’s nations have continued narrowing the gap with traditional football powers, and Morocco’s success provides another example of African teams competing at the highest level. The result is likely to be celebrated not only in Morocco but across much of African football.

As the tournament continues, Morocco will enter the quarterfinals full of confidence after eliminating one of Europe’s traditional powers. The team’s combination of organization, discipline and belief has made it one of the most difficult opponents in the competition and a legitimate threat to continue its remarkable World Cup journey.

France defeated Morocco 2-0 in the World Cup semifinal match Wednesday, ensuring that Kylian Mbappe will face off against Lionel Messi and Argentina in the final Sunday. A tournament chock full of upsets will ultimately be determined by a game between two juggernauts.

Morocco’s miraculous run to the semifinal included upset victories over Spain and Portugal, but France challenged the team’s highly successful defensive strategy immediately. A goal by left-back Theo Hernandez in the fifth minute put the underdogs behind for the first time in the tournament, and though Morocco’s counterattack led to scoring chances, France ultimately kept the Atlas Lions scoreless on the way to a 2-0 win.

After the game, French star Mbappe tweeted support for Moroccan player Achraf Hakimi, his teammate at PSG.

“Don’t be sad bro, everybody is proud of what you did, you made history,” Mbappe said.

An expected win for France propels the team into a highly anticipated matchup with Argentina, led by Messi in what will likely be his final World Cup appearance. Though many hoped for a final between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Mbappe will be a different, more challenging foil. Even in games where he has not contributed directly, the speedy 23-year-old has been the catalyst for his team’s offense, scoring five goals in six games.

The stories of these two top players are drastically different. Mbappe has an extremely promising career ahead of him in the European leagues and countless opportunities to win a World Cup with a historically successful French team. Meanwhile, for all his achievements across a legendary career, Messi has never won a championship for Argentina. This run will likely be his last chance.

Beyond the team’s stars, Argentina and France both boast plenty of talent. French players Antoine Griezzman and Olivier Giroud have been just as productive alongside Mbappe throughout the tournament. Meanwhile, Argentina boasts a well-balanced attack behind Messi that has helped the team go from upset losers against Saudi Arabia to a World Cup finalist.

Cristiano Ronaldo continues to lead Portugal to victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, as his early goal helped lead the team to its first victory, a 1-0 win over Morocco in Moscow on Wednesday.

Ronaldo Scores, Portugal Beats Morocco 1-0 In World Cup

In the fourth minute, Portugal took a short corner, and Joao Moutinho kicked it into the penalty box. Ronaldo connected with a diving header to score his fourth goal of the tournament, after his hat trick in Friday’s 3-3 tie against Spain.

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Morocco has now lost two games this World Cup, after falling to Iran 1-0 in its opener last week, and is virtually eliminated after scoring no goals. The North African country will face a tough challenge against Spain for its final group match.

Morocco’s captain, Medhi Benatia, had several headers on goal, but many of them flew wide or high, or were saved by Portugal’s goalie. Morocco had 16 shots on goal, 10 of those on target.

Portugal also had some scoring chances on free kicks, but Ronaldo and the offense couldn’t convert any of those opportunities.

Morocco also dominated in corner kicks and possession.

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Russia defeated Egypt 3-1 in group play on Tuesday. Later on Wednesday, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia will face off, and then Spain and Iran will play.

Portugal will next play Iran on Monday at 2pm EST. Spain and Morocco will face off that same day and time.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup officially starts Thursday in Russia, with the host country facing Saudi Arabia for the opening game.

FIFA World Cup 2018 Day 2 Preview

On Friday, three big games will be held in Russia, and here is what you need to know.

First, Uruguay and Egypt will play at 8am EST in Yekaterinburg. Egypt’s big star is Mo Salah, a forward who plays for Liverpool FC. However, Uruguay is the favorite to win this matchup, as it counts major stars like Luis Suarez, a Barcelona striker, and Atletico Madrid standouts Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez.  Uruguay is unbeaten in four of its last five games. Russia and Saudi Arabia are group-mates with Egypt and Uruguay.

This matchup will air on Fox Sports 1.

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Iran and Morocco will face off at 11am EST on Friday in St. Petersburg for the second matchup of the day. These two national teams will face a tough challenge in hoping to take the top two spots and advance to the second round, as they were paired with two European powerhouses in their group: Spain and Portugal.

Morocco is back in the World Cup for the first time since 1998. The African country is on an 18-game undefeated streak and have had a few big wins recently, including a 2-0 victory over Serbia.

This is the fourth of the last six World Cups that Iran has qualified for. The Middle Eastern team has also secured several victories under former Manchester United coach Carlos Queiroz, who has been with the team for more than seven years. Iran has only lost twice in the last 16 games. They tied Russia recently and beat Montenegro and Algeria.

Most reports predict that Morocco is the favorite to win this game, as that team counts a stronger roster of players who have competed in top European clubs. This game will air on Fox.

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Spain and Portugal will close out Friday’s games. The two nations will play at 2pm EST in Sochi.

Spain just fired its head coach, Basque native Julen Lopetegui, on Wednesday, a development that will surely put the 2010 World Cup champions in a tough spot. Lopetegui is next set to coach Real Madrid while Fernando Hierro, the Spanish national team’s sporting director, will reportedly take over as Spain’s coach for the tournament.

Portugal are the reigning European cup champions after defeating France in 2016. Recently, they have only lost to the Netherlands.

Spain, meanwhile, is undefeated since it was eliminated by Italy in the Euro 2016 tournament. Spain recently crushed Argentina 6-1.

In the last meeting between Spain and Portugal, in 2012, the former team won on penalties after a 0-0 tie. There are mixed predictions as to who could win this time around, although some polls have Spain winning.

This game will also air on Fox.

Spanish-language channels Telemundo and NBC Universo are also scheduled to air all games.

The United States has been pushing for a 2026 FIFA World Cup hosting gig for quite some time, but Sepp Blatter does not think this is the best idea.

2026 FIFA World Cup U.S. Hosting Bid News

The Swiss former FIFA president – who resigned from World soccer’s governing body following a 17-year tenure along with other top executives in 2015 after a long investigation into financial misconduct – has officially voiced his support for the 2026 World Cup to be held in Morocco, despite the U.S.’s bid, a three-way application with Canada and Mexico.

Referencing the joint bid from the North American countries, Blatter tweeted early Thursday: “World Cup 2026: Co-Hosting rejected by FIFA after 2002 (also applied in 2010 and 2018). And now: Morocco would be the logical host! And it is time for Africa again!”

Blatter previously championed for the competition to be held in another African country: in South Africa in 2010.

Morocco had previously vied to host the Africa Cup of Nations, although its bid was rejected and Equatorial Guinea won the hosting bid after Morocco was criticized for its handling of the Ebola crisis in 2015.

The last time two or more countries co-hosted the World Cup was in 2002, when the tournament was played in South Korea and Japan.

Nigeria applied to co-host with Benin, Ghana and Togo in 2010, but Blatter stated at the time that FIFA would not accept co-hosts going forward except in “exceptional circumstances.” A joint bid from Tunisia and Libya that year was also rejected.

Before Russia was selected as the host for the upcoming 2018 World Cup — which will begin in June — the FIFA executive committee voted against joint bids from Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as Spain and Portugal.

The 2022 World Cup will be held in Qatar.

Blatter’s tweet comes one day after a bipartisan group of 43 U.S. senators wrote a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to pursue an American joint bid for the 2026 tournament with Mexico and Canada. The move is surprising, particularly because of Trump’s multiple and strong criticisms of NAFTA — an organization the three nations are a part of — and especially of Mexico, whom he claims he will force to reimburse the U.S. for the construction of a border wall as a way to curb immigration.

“As one of three host nations, the United States would have the opportunity to deepen the relationship between our citizens and the extended global soccer community,” the letter reads. “It would build on a successful legacy for our three nations, which together have hosted 13 FIFA-sponsored tournaments.”

A Gallup poll in 2017 found that soccer is the fourth-favorite spectator sport in the U.S.

Blatter is serving a six-year ban from soccer following the discovery of an non-contracted salary of $2 million to one-time adviser Michel Platini. 

The Swiss chief has also faced an accusation of sexual harassment. In November, former U.S. women’s national team goalkeeper Hope Solo claimed Blatter groped her at an awards ceremony in 2013.