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The ‘Blue Wave’ – the popular name given to Curacao’s soccer team – will soon spread to North America.
The tiny Caribbean island with a population of just over 150,000 people and an area of just 443 square kilometers (171 square miles) will become the smallest nation to host a FIFA World Cup when the 2026 tournament kicks off on June 11.
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Curacao, a self-governing entity in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, wrote a fictitious essay to obtain qualifications. Now, as one of four debutants in the tournament, the island nation should give its people plenty of reasons to celebrate as their team plays in the world’s top competition.
Here’s everything you need to know about Curacao in Al Jazeera’s World Cup minnows list:
Where is Curacao?
It is 60km (37 miles) from the coast of Venezuela.
Willemstad, in the south of the island, is the capital.
How did Curacao manage to participate in the World Cup?
Curacao endured two difficult rounds to secure their first World Cup ticket.
They played 10 matches, won seven and finished their campaign unbeaten.
Curacao’s journey began in the second round of the CONCACAF qualifiers. They upset Barbados, Aruba, Saint Lucia and Haiti, scoring 15 goals to remain unbeaten.
In the third and final round, they were in Group B along with Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Bermuda.
Curacao drew 0-0 in Trinidad and Tobago in the first leg before defeating Bermuda 3-2 at home. Playing at home, they defeated Jamaica 2-0, sending an undeniable warning to their opponents that World Cup qualification was their clear objective.
The next match was a 1-1 draw with Trinidad and Tobago before a 7-0 win over Bermuda.
Defying the odds in their last game last November, striker Eloy Room and Curacao’s steady defense kept the Reggae Boyz from going goalless. But the problem was not without drama; in stoppage time, Jamaica was awarded a penalty, only for the VAR review to rule out the decision which was confirmed.
The result saw Curacao top Group B and seal the most surprising title of their World Cup journey.
“It’s unbelievable what has happened,” winner Kenji Gorre told the Guardian newspaper. “It’s not really possible on such a small island, a small population of 150,000 people, and now to go to the biggest peak in the game of football is not surprising.”
Curacao is the youngest country to have participated in the World Cup, which is being expanded to 48 teams for the first time. Previously, the smallest country to qualify for the tournament was Iceland in 2018, with a population of around 350,000.
Has Curacao played in a major tournament?
The country that replaced the Netherlands Antilles in international competitions, only started competing as Curacao after 2010, and made its first appearance in FIFA World Cup qualifiers under a new name before the Brazil 2014 tournament.
With most of their players based in the Netherlands but boasting a southern Caribbean island heritage, Curacao became a sporting power as they rose through the ranks of CONCACAF, winning their first two-legged World Cup against Montserrat in 2015.
Two years later, the team competed in the CONCACAF Gold Cup for the first time, although they were eliminated in the group stage, losing all of their matches. But in 2019, they returned in style, reaching the quarterfinals, where they lost to the finalist, the United States.
Curacao came close to qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but was eliminated by Panama in the finals.
How is Curacao’s FIFA?
Ten years ago, Curacao was ranked 150th in the FIFA world rankings. Now they jump to 82nd.
Who will Curacao face in the World Cup?
Curacao is in Group E, along with former champions Germany, Ecuador and African heavyweights Ivory Coast. He has played every team game in the US.
Curacao World Cup 2026:
- June 14: Germany vs Curacao – Houston Stadium
- June 20: Ecuador vs Curacao – Kansas City Stadium
- June 25: Curacao v Ivory Coast – Philadelphia Stadium
Curacao carousel head coach
Former Dutch coach Dick Advocaat led Curacao to their first World Cup, calling it “the craziest thing” he had achieved in a nearly four-decade managerial career.
But four months before the start of the competition, he quit the job because of his daughter’s illness.
Fellow Dutchman Fred Rutten, who previously managed Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven and Schalke 04, was later named as his replacement and looks set to lead them to the World Cup.
But there was another setback: on May 11 – exactly a month after the tournament – Rutten stepped down to defend the team’s champions after calls from players and supporters to reinstate Advocaat.
A day later, it was quickly announced that the 78-year-old would return to the director’s role after his daughter’s treatment changes, according to an ESPN report. Advocaat’s re-appointment makes him the oldest manager in World Cup history.
Who are the key players in Curacao?
Forward Gervane Kastaneer was Curacao’s top scorer with five goals in six games, including a hat-trick against Saint Lucia.
Striker Rangelo Janga, Curacao’s top scorer with 21 goals, scored a hat-trick against Barbados, while Juninho Bacuna and Gorre scored three goals in the process.
Livano Comenencia, a 22-year-old right-back and Tahith Chong, a 26-year-old midfielder who comes from Manchester United’s academy, are promising players for the Curacao team.
What is the Dutch connection in the Curacao community?
Most of these games are of Dutch origin, but they have families that make them suitable for playing in Curacao.
Many have represented the Netherlands in age groups, such as midfielder Juninho, who played for the Dutch U-18, U-20 and U-21 teams. His older brother, Leandro, also played for the youth sides of the Netherlands before representing Curacao at senior level.
Juninho, who switched allegiance from the Netherlands to Curacao in 2019, said it was a “big decision”.
“At the time, I was only 21 years old and had many years ahead of me to see my chance in the Dutch national team,” he told the BBC. “But I quickly decided to play in Curacao because one of the reasons was to be able to play in the same team as my brother, and for the family to see us playing together.
“We see a lot of young and capable players in Holland, and they will come to play in Curacao – and make the team stronger,” he added.
Chong, who plays for Sheffield United’s second team, is the only person born on the island.
How is Curacao preparing for the World Cup?
Curacao played two international matches in March, losing 2-0 to China in Sydney before losing 5-1 to Australia in Melbourne. They are due to face Scotland in a friendly in Glasgow in May before heading to the World Cup.
Both Australia and Scotland are also competing in North America this summer.
What can we expect from Curacao?
An uphill task awaits Curacao at the World Cup, starting with their opening game against four champions Germany. Although the Germans faced a major challenge in 2022, they remained favorites to top the group and reach the quarterfinals.
Fans of Curacao, can expect a determined battle from their team – and maybe even a few goals. The Caribbean side have scored 28 goals in 10 games while they have scored just five in their World Cup campaign.
“Usually, whether it’s an international or a European tournament, there are always surprises,” coach Rutten told reporters in March. “And what about this year for us?
“We have an army and they don’t give up.”
You can follow Al Jazeera’s dedicated content FIFA World Cup 2026 a page with the latest news, match updates and commentary, as well as know the standings of the team, real-time game results and schedules.
