Curacao are World Cup debutants, and nobody really knows what to expect from them at the tournament this summer.
But their players will be dreaming of a headline-writing debut. There are a lot of records to be set and history to be made, which alone will provide good motivation for the Blue Wave.
Get all the latest Curacao stats as the tournament unfolds plus the latest squad, manager and fixture information for the South American side here.
Curacao route to the World Cup
Curacao went through two group stages during World Cup qualifying, but managed to go all the way unbeaten. That was an impressive feat considering they were drawn alongside fellow qualifiers Haiti in Round Two, and the likes of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago in Round Three.
Former PSV, Rangers and Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat was the man to lead Curacao to the World Cup but he resigned in February 2026 due to health problems with his daughter. These improved in May 2026 and this allowed Advocaat to return to the fold as head coach.. Curacao won all four of their games in Round Two, including beating Haiti 5-1. In Round Three, they won three and drew three of their six group matches, with their standout result a 7-0 victory away at Bermuda.
Curacao World Cup 2026 fixtures
As mentioned, Curacao will face Germany, the Ivory Coast and Ecuador at the 2026 World Cup.
The nation open against Germany in Houston, before heading to Kansas City to take on Ecuador. The Blue Wave will then finish up Group E against the Ivory Coast in Philadelphia.
Curacao have never previously faced any of their group stage opponents at the World Cup.
| Date | Fixture | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 14th June 2026 | Germany vs Curacao | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| 20th June 2026 | Ecuador vs Curacao | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
| 25th June 2026 | Curacao vs Ivory Coast | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
READ MORE: Get the latest Curacao World Cup 2026 outright odds here
Curacao key players for World Cup 2026
Curacao top World Cup Golden Boot contender: Tahith Chong
- Key stat: Tahith Chong has scored three times in just six caps for Curacao so far
Although he hasn’t been the most prolific goalscorer at club level and is yet to score a league goal for his current club Sheffield United, Tahith Chong has made a great start to his fledgling international career by scoring three times in his first six games. The former Manchester United youngster will expect to start with the nation’s top goalscorer Rangelo Janga being left out of the squad.
Curacao primary playmaker: Leandro Bacuna
- Key stat: No Curacao player provided more assists than Leandro Bacuna (three) during World Cup qualifying.
Another familiar name for English supporters, Leandro Bacuna — formerly of Aston Villa, Reading, Cardiff and Watford — has long been one of Curacao’s most important players.
The 34-year-old provided three assists during qualifying, while creating 18 chances — a total only bettered among Curacao players by Leandro’s younger brother, Juninho, who plays for Gaziantep in the Turkish Super Lig.
Curacao card magnet & top tackler: Shurandy Sambo
- Key stat: Shurandy Sambo averaged 4.8 tackles per 90 minutes during World Cup qualifying.
Although he didn’t pick up any bookings, Shurandy Sambo was a tackling machine during World Cup qualifying. No Curacao player averaged more than his 4.8 tackles per 90 minutes, which was second only to Guatemala’s Jose Rosales (5.5) across the entire qualifying campaign. Sambo also averaged two fouls per 90, and the Sparta Rotterdam loanee will need to call upon all of his defensive instincts and aggression against the likes of Germany and the Ivory Coast.
Curacao rising star: Ar’jany Martha
Ar’jany Martha hasn’t enjoyed the best season domestically, being part of the Rotherham United team that were relegated from League One. However, the 22 year old has already made seven appearances for his country. An attack-minded left-back, he came through the ranks at Ajax and possesses the kind of pace and direct thinking that could help his nation on the counter-attack.
STAND-OUT STAT: Curacao will become the smallest ever nation by population to compete in a World Cup this summer with a rough population of 158,000.
Curacao set-piece specialists
- Penalties: Leandro Bacuna
- Free kicks: Juninho Bacuna
- Corners: Juninho Bacuna/Leandro Bacuna
Curacao tactical analysis and formation
Team stats (World Cup qualifying)
- Corners: 47
- Shots on target: 6.4 per match
- GK saves: 3.0 per match
- Average possession: 56.4%
Curacao played a 3-4-3 formation during World Cup qualifying, with FC Zurich’s Livano Comenencia sitting deep in midfield to give the Bacuna brothers and wing-backs licence to push forward. There’s plenty of experience in the ranks, with the Bacunas on 114 caps combined and goalkeeper Eloy Room on 68. Meanwhile, title-winning PSV defender Amando Obispo is a quality new addition to the ranks, having previously represented the Netherlands at youth level.
Get the latest Curacao World Cup goals, shots, tackle, assist stats are more here.
Curacao manager analysis
The highly experienced Dick Advocaat is back in charge of Curacao. The former Sunderland manager was in charge of the team from January 2024 to February 2026 and lost just three of his 20 matches at the helm. However, he left the job in February 2026, citing personal reasons. These have since been resolved and Advocaat has returned to the head coach position at Curacao.
Advocaat has managed at some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including PSV Eindhoven, Sunderland and Fenerbahce. He’s also got a wealth of experience at international level, with spells as head coach of Netherlands, South Korea and Russia, among others.
All of that experience will be put to the test this summer, when Advocaat leads the smallest nation at the World Cup into what looks like an impossible challenge.
Curacao World Cup FAQs
Have Curacao ever won the World Cup?
Curacao have never won the World Cup, with this being their debut tournament.
Where did Curacao finish in the last World Cup?
Curacao have never played at a World Cup before.
Who will be the Curacao captain at the World Cup?
Leandro Bacuna is expected to be Curacao’s captain at the World Cup.
Who is Curacao’s all-time top goalscorer at World Cups?
With this being Curacao’s first World Cup, the entire squad will be hoping to take this honour.
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