Cody Gakpo — Netherlands World Cup 2026 Squad

Career Highlights

Cody Gakpo's three goals at the 2022 World Cup—scored against Senegal, Ecuador, and Qatar in consecutive group matches—made him the tournament's breakout forward and one of the most sought-after players in the January 2023 transfer window. At PSV, he won two Eredivisie titles and scored 55 goals in 159 appearances, earning the Eredivisie Player of the Year award in 2022. His Liverpool career has steadily improved under first Jurgen Klopp and then Arne Slot, with 2024-25 marking his most productive season. With 23 goals in 55 caps for the Netherlands, he has become the Oranje's primary goal threat.

Club Career

Gakpo spent his entire youth career at PSV Eindhoven, breaking into the first team in 2018 under Mark van Bommel. His first three seasons produced modest returns—9, 7, and 5 Eredivisie goals—but the 2021-22 campaign transformed his output with 21 goals and 15 assists across all competitions. Liverpool signed him for €42 million in January 2023 after he rejected approaches from Manchester United and Leeds. His first full season at Anfield was inconsistent as Klopp struggled to find his best position, using him on the left wing, as a center forward, and as a number 10. Slot's arrival in 2024 clarified Gakpo's role as a left-sided inside forward, and his 2024-25 output—15 goals and 14 assists—confirmed the tactical fit.

International Career & World Cup History

Gakpo debuted for the Netherlands in 2021 under Louis van Gaal and was a surprise starter at the 2022 World Cup, where he repaid the faith with goals in all three group matches. His opening goal against Senegal—a close-range finish from a Frenkie de Jong cross—set the tone, and his left-footed strike against Ecuador from outside the box showcased his shooting range. Argentina's quarterfinal penalty shootout victory ended his tournament, but his performances attracted global attention. He featured in Euro 2024 under Koeman, scoring against Romania in the round of 16, though the Netherlands fell to England in the semifinals. He has scored 23 goals in 55 caps—an international record that ranks among the best strike rates in Dutch history.

World Cup 2026 Outlook

Gakpo enters the 2026 World Cup as the Netherlands' most important attacker, his partnership with Simons and Depay giving Koeman a versatile forward line. His Liverpool role under Slot has sharpened his inside-forward play, exactly the profile Koeman deploys on the left of a 3-4-3 system. At 26, Gakpo is entering his peak years, and if Liverpool challenge for the Premier League title in 2025-26, his form and confidence will arrive in North America at their highest. His height and technical ability also make him a threat from set pieces—relevant in knockout matches where margins are thin. The Netherlands' tournament prospects hinge significantly on whether Gakpo can replicate his 2022 World Cup impact on a deeper run.