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On Tuesday 18 November 2025, Curaçao traveled to Kingston after winning a World Cup qualifier against Jamaica.
Jamaica – led by Steve McClaren – trailed their opponents by a point, so must win to reach the tournament for the second time and the first time since France ’98.
Curaçao – led by Dick Advocate – needed just one point to qualify for the tournament for the first time in history.
A 0-0 draw ensured they did just that.
Curacao qualified for their first World Cup after a 0-0 draw with Jamaica in November.
It was a seismic result for the Caribbean nation, who – with a population of less than 160,000 – became the smallest to reach the World Cup.
But how did they get there? Who are their star players? And what are their chances?
Here are the main questions answered…
Where is Curacao?
Curacao is an island nation in the Caribbean about 40 miles north of the coast of Venezuela. Since the dissolution of the Dutch Antilles in 2010, it has been a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The official languages are Dutch, English and Papiamento – a Portuguese-based creole language – and the nation is known for the orange liqueur of the same name, which is often dyed a vibrant blue.
What is their football history?
Prior to 2010, the islands of Aruba, Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarten were all represented by the Netherlands Antilles national team. After the dissolution mentioned above, Curaçao took over the Netherlands Antilles’ FIFA membership and 151 ranking.
Their first match was a 1–0 friendly loss to the Dominican Republic on August 18, 2011, and their first win came on November 11, 2011 when they beat the US Virgin Islands 3–0.
Former Ajax and Barcelona striker Patrick Kluivert was in charge for a spell between 2015 and 2016 and is in charge in 2021, while former PSV, Real Madrid and Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink is in charge between August 2020 and September 2021.
Former Barcelona striker Patrick Kluivert had two spells in charge of Curacao.
Where are they located in the world?
‘The Blue Wave’ are ranked 83rd out of 211 nations in the latest FIFA rankings. This makes them the second lowest ranked team in the World Cup behind New Zealand, who are ranked 85th.
The next update comes on June 11, the day the tournament begins.
Who is the manager now?
Legendary Dutch manager Dick Advocaat – who has had three separate spells in charge of the Netherlands – signed a one-year deal with the option of a further year in January 2024.
Dick Advocate is set to become the oldest manager in World Cup history
His first official game for The Blue Wave was on 5 June 2024, when Curaçao defeated Barbados 4–1 in the capital Willemstad.
The advocate guided Curacao to the World Cup – how soon they did – but stepped down in February 2026 to care for his daughter, who was reportedly suffering from health problems.
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Rotherham’s Arzani Martha discusses playing under Dick Advocate for Curacao as they head to their first World Cup.
He said: “I’ve always said that family comes before football. So it’s a natural decision. But it doesn’t change the fact that I will miss Curaçao, the people there and my colleagues very much.
“I consider it a highlight of my career for the smallest country in the world to qualify for the World Cup. I am proud of my players, staff and board members who believed in us.”
But 78-year-old Fred replaced Rutten and returned to his role in May after his daughter’s health improved. As a result, he will become the oldest manager in World Cup history this summer.
How did they qualify?
Curacao began their journey to the World Cup in the second round of CONCACAF qualifying in June 2024, with a 2–0 win over Aruba before a 4–1 victory over Barbados.
Their next two qualifiers were another 12 months away, but they got through those too with a 4-0 win over St Lucia and a 5-1 win over Haiti.
With four wins from four, they topped Group C and advanced to the third round with second-placed Haiti.
They opened that campaign with a 0-0 draw against Trinidad and Tobago in September 2025, then led 2-0 and were forced to dig deep to win 3-2 against Bermuda.
A 2–0 win over Jamaica and a 1–1 draw with Trinidad and Tobago followed, before they got revenge to give Bermuda a run for their money 7–0.
This drew them to a crucial game in Jamaica in November, a 0–0 draw that ensured they qualified for the World Cup unbeaten.
How have they been since then?
Curacao have played three friendlies since qualifying and lost all of them.
They played Australia twice in March, first losing 2-0 to China in Sydney, before being beaten 5-1 by the Socceroos in Melbourne.
And in Advocate’s first game back in charge on May 30, They lost 4-1 to Scotland at Hampden Park.
Opener Tahit Chong scored in Curacao’s loss to Scotland
They have a farewell friendly against Aruba on June 6 before heading to the US.
Who plays for them?
A number of players in this summer’s squad will be familiar to UK football fans, not least the Bacuna brothers: Juninho and Leandro.
Leandro played for Aston Villa, Reading, Cardiff and Watford between 2013 and 2023, while his brother – six years his junior – played for Huddersfield, Rangers and Birmingham between 2018 and 2024.
Then there’s Tahit Chong – the only member of the squad born outside the Netherlands – who arrived at Man Utd and has since played for Birmingham, Luton and now Sheffield United.
Jurgen Locadia played 46 times for Brighton between 2018 and 2022, Shurandi Sambo is on Burnley’s books from 2024 and R’Jani Martha signed a three-year deal at Rotherham last summer. Martha’s cousin Sontje Hansen plays for Middlesbrough.
Kenzie Gore was part of Man Utd’s academy for nine years, Gervane Kastaneer spent time at Coventry and Hearts and Joshua Brenet was at Livingston for four months from October 2025.
Sheffield United’s Chong is the only member of the team born outside the Netherlands
Apart from captain Leandro Bacuna, the most capped player in the squad is goalkeeper Eloy Rum. The 37-year-old former Vitesse, PSV and Columbus Crew stopper currently plays for USL Championship side Miami FC and has earned a joint-record 71 caps since debuting in 2015.
16 members of the squad have played for the Netherlands at youth level.
Who will they face and what are their chances?
- June 14: Germany v Curacao, Houston – Kick-off 6pm (UK time)
- June 20: Ecuador v Curacao, Kansas City – Kick-off 1pm (UK time)
- June 25: Curacao v Ivory Coast, Philadelphia – Kick-off 9pm (UK time)
If Curaçao win Group E, they will face the third-placed team in Group A/B/C/D or F, and if they are runners-up, they will face the runners-up of Group I, consisting of France, Senegal, Iraq and Norway.
And if they finish as one of the top-eight ranked third-place teams, they will play the winners of Group A, D, G or L.
Advocate’s side are priced at 8/1 to qualify for the knockout stages and 500/1 to win the tournament in a group of 19 teams.
Curacao’s World Cup squad is in full swing
Goalkeeper: Tyrick Bodak (SC Telstar), Trevor Doornbusch (VVV-Venlo), Eloy Room (Miami FC).
Defender: Riechedly Bazoer (Konyaspor), Joshua Brenet (Kayserispor), Roshon van Eijma (RKC Waalwijk), Sherel Floranus (PEC Zwolle), Deveron Fonville (NEC Nijmegen), Jurien Gaari (Abha Club), Armando Obispo (PSV), Shurandy Rotterdam (S).
Midfielder: Juninho Bacuna (FC Volendam), Leandro Bacuna (Igdır), Livano Comenencia (FC Zurich), Kevin Felida (FC Den Bosch), Ar’Jany Martha (Rotherham), Tyrese Noslin (SC Telstar), Godfried Roemeratoe (RKC Waalwijk).
Forward: Jeremy Antonis (AE Kifisia), Tahit Chong (Sheffield United), Kenzie Gore (Maccabi Haifa), Sontje Hansen (Middlesbrough), Garvane Kastanire (Terenganoo FC), Brandley Kuwas (FC Volendam), Jurgen Locadia (Miami Marger FC) and Jürgen FC).
Manager: Dick is a lawyer
