World Cup 2026: Curaçao’s trailblazers doctor on football’s big stage

In 2026, in an attempt to accelerate change, FIFA introduced new rules, outsider For the women’s tournament. Regulations state that at least one member of the medical staff must be female and at least one instructor must be female.

The match between Curacao and Germany, for the first time in men’s World Cup history, had one all-female, outsider Medical Team – FIFA match doctor Dr. Emma Lunan, Curaçao Medical Chief Dr. Suzanne Hurmann, Germany team doctor Dr. Silja Schwarz, emergency medicine doctor Dr. Kari Bakunas and injury spotter Dr. Kerry Peake.

Dr Lunan told FIFA: “Hopefully this is a springboard to show that skills in sports medicine and performance medicine are not dependent on your sex or gender and that there can be opportunities for progression based on your skills.”

Dr. Hurman thinks the new regulations are positive.

“When I started with Real Madrid in 2020, I worked with the women’s team and then I moved to the men’s team. When they started the women’s team, all the staff were men except me,” he said.

When asked how football can improve, Dr. Hurman suggests considering alternatives to agile.

“I know countries like Sweden have a rotating system with different doctors – week one, one doctor, week two, a different doctor and so on. This flexible-working system might be better for female doctors, though not yet used to the elite game – they are used to having a permanent doctor with a team.”

For women who have been told no, Dr Hurman urged women to prove themselves: “I’ve heard it a million times – you can’t do it because you’re a woman – especially in professional football.

“But if you prove your quality and you’re a good professional, you can do it.”

Known as the Blue Wave, Curacao made history last Sunday by scoring their first World Cup goal against Germany in Houston.

However, their celebrations were short-lived, as four-time winners A 7-1 win.

Curacao will look to increase their goal tally against Ecuador and Ivory Coast in their remaining group games and Hurman says the squad is energized.

“We are optimistic about our next two matches,” he added. “They are happy, they are focused. I saw Spain draw 0-0 with Cape Verde, so you never know.”