Cody Gakpo's Faith as Netherlands Prepare for Crucial Sweden Match
The pressure on the Netherlands is already thick in the Texas heat. One game into their World Cup campaign, Ronald Koeman’s side are staring at a must-win showdown with a rampant Sweden, and they know it.
A 2-2 draw with an impressive Japan in Arlington has left the three-time runners-up playing catch-up in Group F. Sweden, revitalised under Graham Potter and armed with the firepower of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres, announced themselves with a ruthless 5-1 dismantling of Tunisia. The contrast in opening statements could hardly be sharper.
Yet at the Dutch base in Kansas City, Cody Gakpo cut a calm, almost buoyant figure.
“We have high hopes for ourselves,” the Liverpool forward said. “I think we feel that we have a good group, and at the end we have to show it on the pitch and obviously go through in the group stage, and then push on.”
This is not blind optimism. Inside this squad, something else is binding them together.
Prayer circle at the heart of Oranje camp
Gakpo revealed that a Christian prayer group has quietly grown into a core part of the Netherlands’ inner life at this tournament. Around 11 or 12 players now gather regularly to pray, talk about faith and, in his words, strengthen the bonds that will be tested in Houston on Saturday.
“We often end up in conversations in which we talk about faith and I'm often one of those who leads the prayer,” he explained. “But everyone has their own role and their own contribution.”
The 27-year-old spoke of a group that has swelled in size and influence.
“I think the group of guys is getting bigger and bigger. And I think it also brings a certain cohesion, of course,” he said. Not just cohesion on the training pitch or in the tactical meetings, but in the quieter corners of camp life.
“Also outside of football, obviously, to get along well with each other. But also just to give each other strength, in moments like these when we really have to be there for each other. And that we can form a unity together. Not only on the pitch, but also outside it.”
In a tournament setting, where days are long and margins are thin, that kind of togetherness can be as valuable as any tactical tweak. The Netherlands will need every ounce of it against a Sweden side that smells vulnerability.
Sweden’s spearhead: a familiar face
If anyone in orange understands the size of the threat, it is Gakpo. Across the dressing room at Liverpool, he has watched Isak up close.
The Swedish striker endured a brutal first season at Anfield. A big-money move from Newcastle was quickly derailed by a serious ankle injury that included a fibula fracture. Months were lost. Rhythm vanished. Only late in the campaign did he finally re-emerge.
“Special player, and we were very happy that he returned (from injury),” Gakpo said. “And at the end, I think he was fit, he scored some goals, and he played well.
“And obviously he started the tournament very well with his performance. And I think everybody knows how good a player he is, so we have to look (out for) him.”
Isak and Gyokeres tore through Tunisia in their opener, setting the tone for a Sweden side that looks nothing like the functional, conservative versions of old. Potter has given them licence, and they are taking full advantage.
For Koeman’s defence, bruised by Japan’s movement and aggression, the assignment now is brutal: stop one of Europe’s most dangerous strike pairings or risk being left with only permutations and prayers.
Leaving Liverpool’s struggles behind
For Gakpo, this World Cup also offers something more personal: escape.
“Last season at Liverpool is not something a lot of people want to look back on, I think, unfortunately,” he admitted. Anfield saw upheaval, underperformance and, ultimately, the sacking of manager Arne Slot at the end of a deeply disappointing campaign.
“But that's just football as well. And we just have to move on. Here it's obviously a completely different environment, it's a completely different team.”
The Oranje shirt gives him a reset button. No league-table autopsy, no daily post-mortem of club form. Just a clear task: drag the Netherlands out of a tight spot and back into contention.
That starts in Houston, where the Dutch cannot afford another stumble. Sweden are already in stride, their confidence soaring after five goals and a statement win. The Netherlands, by contrast, are still searching for their rhythm, still trying to turn faith, cohesion and experience into something more tangible on the scoreboard.
The prayer group can only take them so far. At some point, belief has to meet execution under the floodlights.
