2026-06-07
Smallest nation ever at a World Cup
Island of ~150,000 closes prep with 4-0 win over Aruba before facing Germany in Houston
Group E · CONCACAF · FIFA #82 · 2501/1
Curaçao
1434The smallest country ever at a World Cup arrives via a coaching soap opera — 78-year-old Advocaat back at the helm of a Dutch-developed squad facing Germany, Ecuador and Ivory Coast with nothing to lose.
Coach Dick Advocaat (Netherlands) · since 2024-01 (reappointed 2026-05)
Matches
Key players
- Leandro BacunaMF · Free agent (ex-Aston Villa)
34-year-old captain and most-capped player
- Juninho BacunaMF · Birmingham City
Most creative player; 13 international goals
- Tahith ChongW · Sheffield United
Ex-Manchester United winger with Championship pedigree
- Sontje HansenW · Middlesbrough
Quick wide threat, ex-Ajax academy
- Rangelo JangaST · FC Eindhoven
All-time top scorer with 21 goals
- Eloy RoomGK · Veteran (ex-Columbus Crew)
Long-time first-choice keeper and shootout hero of 2019
- Gervane KastaneerW · Kuala Lumpur City
Among the most involved attackers in qualifying
Injuries / doubts
- No major injuries reported
Recent form
| 2026-06-06 | Aruba | 4-0 W | Friendly |
| 2026-05-30 | Scotland | 1-4 L | Friendly |
| 2026-03-31 | Australia | 1-5 L | Friendly |
| 2026-03-27 | China | 0-2 L | Friendly |
| 2025-11-18 | Jamaica | 0-0 D | WC qualifier (sealed qualification) |
| 2025-11-13 | Bermuda | 7-0 W | World Cup qualifier |
News
2026-05-30
Hampden hammering in Advocaat's first game back
4-1 loss to Scotland exposed the gulf to Group E opposition
2026-05-11
Advocaat returns for the World Cup
After stepping down in February over his daughter's health and Fred Rutten's short-lived spell, the 78-year-old returns — set to become the oldest coach in World Cup history