Smaller than Isle of Man & huge Dutch influence: Curacao making history

Smaller than Isle of Man & huge Dutch influence: Curacao making history

Smaller than Isle of Man huge - Curacao, a diminutive Caribbean territory, is set to etch its name into football history as the smallest nation ever to compete in a World Cup. The island, home to a population of just 158,000—fewer than 40 UK cities combined—has long been associated with its namesake alcoholic drink. However, this upcoming milestone marks a turning point, as the team steps onto the global stage for their debut in the 2026 tournament.

Facts About Curacao's World Cup Journey

Part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Curacao has secured victories in all four matches of their qualifying group. Their next challenge comes in Group E, where they will face Germany, Ecuador, and Ivory Coast. The debut in Houston is expected to draw thousands of supporters, with charter flights arranged to accommodate the fanbase. Despite their size, the team’s squad features 25 players born on the mainland, only one of whom, Tahith Chong, was raised on the island.

"It brings so much joy and pride to the island that you can't describe it. The whole island is turning blue," said Gilbert Martina, president of the Curacao Football Federation, in a pre-tournament interview.

Dick Advocaat, the team's on-again, off-again manager, will become the oldest World Cup head coach at 78 years old. The squad includes 18 players who have represented the Netherlands at youth levels, with two—Riechedly Bazoer and Joshua Brenet—earning senior caps. This shift from local amateur players to overseas talent began in 2015 with the appointment of Dutch manager Patrick Kluivert.

The Heart of the Team

Leandro Bacuna, the team’s captain, emphasized the blend of passion and focus: "We've done something so nice for Curacao. I started this journey 10 years ago and wanted to make the people from Curacao proud. The manager keeps saying we are not finished. We want to show people as small as we are, we have a big heart. If you have a big heart, I believe you can get far." His brother, Juninho Bacuna, echoed this sentiment, recalling childhood dreams of playing for a unified team: "It's one thing that we always wished for—when we were kids, we dreamed of playing together on one pitch. That's why I decided early on to play for Curacao so I could be with him in one team, make my parents proud, make the island proud."

Recent years have seen a surge in Dutch-born players joining the squad, with 15 making their debut since 2023. Tahith Chong, who switched from the Netherlands to Curacao last year, is among them. Juninho Bacuna added: "We're very used to our diaspora being outside the island. So that's not necessarily a factor in how we identify ourselves. Even if a player isn't born here, they feel an extreme connection and consider themselves Curacaoan."

Curacao is one of only six non-sovereign nations to qualify for a World Cup, alongside Aruba and Sint Maarten in the Netherlands, and England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland in the UK. This unique status underscores the island’s determination to showcase its identity on a global platform, blending Dutch roots with a fiercely proud Caribbean heritage.