Curaçao at the FIFA World Cup 2026

FIFA ranking: 82
Group: E
Confederation: CONCACAF
Coach: Dick Advocaat
World Cup titles: 0
Best result: First participation (2026)

History

Curaçao is making its first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance in 2026, representing a historic debut. The island nation, with a population of just over 150,000 and an area of 443 square kilometres, is the smallest nation by population ever to qualify for a World Cup, surpassing the previous record held by Iceland (population approximately 350,000) at the 2018 tournament. Curaçao only became a separate constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 2010, and their football federation gained FIFA membership shortly thereafter. A decade before qualification they were ranked around 150th in the world. Their rise to 82nd in the April 2026 FIFA rankings reflects a remarkable transformation.

Qualification

Curaçao completed the CONCACAF qualifying campaign with an unbeaten record across all rounds, winning seven matches and drawing three in the final phase. In the Second Round they topped Group C with a perfect 4-0-0 record, beating Barbados, Aruba, Saint Lucia, and Haiti convincingly. In the CONCACAF Final Round they won Group B with 12 points (three wins, three draws) and secured one of the three direct berths. They scored 28 goals and conceded only five throughout qualification.

Preparation

The lead-up to the tournament involved an unusual coaching situation. Dick Advocaat, the veteran Dutch manager who guided Curaçao to qualification, stepped down in February 2026 for personal reasons related to his daughter's health. Fred Rutten took over, but on 11 May 2026 Advocaat returned after his daughter's health improved, following strong calls from players and sponsors (including main sponsor Corendon) to reinstate him; his return makes him the oldest manager in World Cup history. Two pre-tournament friendlies were arranged: against Scotland on 30 May 2026 at Hampden Park in Glasgow, and against Aruba on 6 June 2026 at Ergilio Hato Stadium in Willemstad. In the Scotland match Curaçao lost 4-1: Tahith Chong gave them an early lead before Jürgen Locadia was sent off on 38 minutes for violent conduct (a yellow upgraded to red after a VAR review), after which Scotland ran out comfortable winners; Advocaat said his side had performed well until the dismissal. In March 2026, warmup matches resulted in a 2-0 loss to China and a 5-1 defeat against Australia, reflecting the size of the step up they face. Most squad players were born and raised in the Netherlands but hold Curaçao eligibility through family heritage.

Latest news

Curaçao lose 4-1 to Scotland in World Cup warm-up; Locadia sent off

Sat 30 May · matches

In their first pre-tournament friendly, Curaçao lost 4-1 to Scotland at Hampden Park, Glasgow. Tahith Chong put them ahead on 17 minutes (assisted by Armando Obispo), but Jürgen Locadia was sent off on 38 minutes for violent conduct after a VAR review. Scotland replied via Findlay Curtis, a Lawrence Shankland brace and a Ryan Christie penalty. Advocaat said his side did well until the red.

sofascore.com · 2026-06-02
skysports.com · 2026-06-02
espn.com · 2026-06-02

Squad

Player	Position	Club
Eloy Room	GK	Miami FC
Trevor Doornbusch	GK	VVV-Venlo
Tyrick Bodak	GK	SC Telstar
Joshua Brenet	DF	Kayserispor
Riechedly Bazoer	DF	Konyaspor
Sherel Floranus	DF	PEC Zwolle
Armando Obispo	DF	PSV Eindhoven
Juriën Gaari	DF	Abha Club
Roshon van Eijma	DF	RKC Waalwijk
Shurandy Sambo	DF	Sparta Rotterdam
Deveron Fonville	DF	NEC Nijmegen
Leandro Bacuna	MF	Igdir FK
Juninho Bacuna	MF	FC Volendam
Livano Comenencia	MF	FC Zürich
Kevin Felida	MF	FC Den Bosch
Ar'Jany Martha	MF	Rotherham United
Tyrese Noslin	MF	SC Telstar
Godfried Roemeratoe	MF	RKC Waalwijk
Tahith Chong	MF	Sheffield United
Jürgen Locadia	FW	Miami FC
Brandley Kuwas	FW	FC Volendam
Gervane Kastaneer	FW	Terengganu FC
Kenji Gorré	FW	Maccabi Haifa
Sontje Hansen	FW	Middlesbrough
Jearl Margaritha	FW	SK Beveren
Jeremy Antonisse	FW	AE Kifisia