Cody Gakpo has done something that very few footballers in history can claim. The Netherlands forward has scored three or more goals in both the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups, placing him in a vanishingly small club of players who have managed that level of consistency on the sport’s biggest stage.

Five career World Cup goals and counting. For a player who only burst onto the global scene four years ago in Qatar, that trajectory is worth paying attention to.

From Qatar to North America

Gakpo’s World Cup story started in 2022, when he netted three goals and helped lead the Netherlands through the tournament in Qatar. That performance was impressive enough on its own, turning him from a promising PSV Eindhoven talent into a player Liverpool felt compelled to sign.

Fast forward to the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and Gakpo has picked up right where he left off. He’s already matched his 2022 total of three goals, including a brace against Sweden during the group stage.

His contributions haven’t been limited to the earlier rounds either. Gakpo scored an emotional goal against Morocco in the knockout stages, a moment that reportedly carried personal significance for the forward. The tournament is still ongoing, meaning his tally could climb even higher.

Where Gakpo stands in Dutch football history

Gakpo’s eight total goals across World Cups and European Championships now places him in conversation with some of the most celebrated names in Dutch football history. Bergkamp and Robben are the most relevant comparisons, both having delivered memorable moments on the international stage across multiple tournaments.

The Liverpool connection

Gakpo’s World Cup performances have been closely tied to his club career trajectory. His 2022 exploits in Qatar essentially served as a showcase that accelerated his move to Liverpool. That transfer gave him access to higher-level coaching, better teammates, and the kind of weekly competition against top defenders that sharpens a forward’s game.

What to watch as the tournament continues

With the 2026 World Cup still ongoing, Gakpo has the opportunity to push his career total well beyond five goals. At 26 years old, Gakpo also has the realistic possibility of appearing in a third World Cup in 2030.