Curaçao
About Curaçao
Curaçao only began competing as an independent FIFA member after the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles in 2010. They have never previously qualified for a FIFA World Cup, making 2026 a historic debut. Their most notable achievement has been reaching the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-finals, and they have produced Dutch-Caribbean talent that feeds into the Netherlands pipeline — Leandro Bacuna and Tahith Chong both have Dutch top-flight backgrounds. Qualifying for this expanded 48-team tournament represents the single greatest moment in the island nation's football history.
Curaçao are out of the World Cup
Curaçao did not advance from the group stage, so there is no knockout path to project.
Players to watch
Dick Advocaat typically deploys a 4-3-3 that compresses into a 4-5-1 out of possession. Riechedly Bazoer sits deepest in midfield, screening the back four of Armando Obispo, Joshua Brenet, Shurandy Sambo and Roshon van Eijma. Leandro Bacuna and Juninho Bacuna operate as the two advanced midfielders. In transition, Tahith Chong is the primary outlet, running in behind, while Jurgen Locadia leads the line as a physical reference point.
Watch Tahith Chong first — the Sheffield United winger carries genuine Championship-level pace and directness that Curaçao rarely possess in wide areas. Behind him, the Bacuna cousins pull the strings: Leandro Bacuna, now at Igdir after years in the Championship, reads the game from deep and delivers set-piece quality, while Juninho Bacuna at Volendam is the more dynamic box-to-box presence. Riechedly Bazoer, once an Ajax prodigy now rebuilt at Konyaspor, anchors the defensive structure with composure.
Armando Obispo's PSV Eindhoven pedigree gives the backline genuine Eredivisie quality at centre-back. Tahith Chong's pace on the counter is a consistent Championship-tested weapon. The Bacuna cousins' familiarity with Dutch football systems means the midfield trio communicates fluently and rarely loses its shape under pressure.
Goalkeeper Eloy Room is playing at Miami FC in the USL Championship — a significant drop from top-level competition that raises questions about his sharpness against elite forwards. Depth in attack is thin: beyond Chong and Locadia, options like Gervane Kastaneer at Terengganu and Jeremy Antonisse at Kifisia are playing in peripheral leagues.
The lines
Jurgen Locadia, reunited with Eloy Room at Miami FC, leads the line as a mobile centre-forward with Eredivisie experience. Tahith Chong provides the primary cutting edge from wide right. Kenji Gorre and Sontje Hansen at Middlesbrough offer rotation, though neither has Chong's top-level consistency.
Riechedly Bazoer anchors from deep, his Konyaspor role rebuilding the defensive discipline that made him an Ajax prospect. Leandro Bacuna operates as the more technical, set-piece-specialist half, while Juninho Bacuna at Volendam provides the vertical runs and energy. Livano Comenencia at Zurich provides cover.
Armando Obispo is the standout, regularly featuring for PSV Eindhoven. Joshua Brenet at Kayserispor brings Turkish league experience at right-back. Shurandy Sambo at Sparta Rotterdam and Roshon van Eijma at RKC Waalwijk complete a back four that is organised but untested at World Cup level.
Eloy Room is the clear first choice, a long-serving Curaçao international with prior Eredivisie experience at FC Twente. His current club level at Miami FC in the USL Championship is a genuine concern, though his familiarity with Dick Advocaat's system offers some reassurance.
Squad
Fixtures & results
Frequently asked questions
What group is Curaçao in at the 2026 World Cup?
Curaçao are in Group E at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Who is Curaçao's manager?
Curaçao are managed by Dick Advocaat.
Who are Curaçao's players to watch?
Key players to watch for Curaçao include Leandro Bacuna, Juninho Bacuna, Riechedly Bazoer.
See the full World Cup 2026 title odds and predicted bracket.
Leandro Bacuna
Riechedly Bazoer