Curacao on the Brink of World Cup History
Players from the beautiful Caribbean island of Curacao are just 90 minutes away from making World Cup history.
If they can secure at least a draw against Jamaica on Tuesday night (Wednesday 01:00 GMT), Curacao, led by former Netherlands and Rangers coach Dick Advocaat, will qualify for the World Cup finals for the first time.
This achievement would make them the smallest nation ever to compete in the World Cup, surpassing Iceland, which reached the finals in 2018. Curacao has a population of just over 150,000, comparable to cities like Cambridge or Huddersfield, and covers a land area smaller than the Isle of Man.
Midfielder Juninho Bacuna, who has played for Huddersfield, Rangers, and Birmingham, expressed his excitement, stating, "It's crazy and would be one of the biggest things that will happen to Curacao. It's incredible and amazing. Even a few years ago, you wouldn't have thought it was possible, but now we are this close. We are determined to give our all to qualify for the World Cup. To be a part of it and make that dream come true would be incredible."
Curacao, located 37 miles off the coast of Venezuela, became an independent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 2010, following the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles. A decade ago, they were ranked 150th in FIFA's world rankings; now, they are positioned at 82nd.
The expanded format of the 2026 World Cup, which will feature 48 teams instead of 32, along with the automatic qualifications for hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States, has significantly improved Curacao's chances. In their qualifying campaign, they have won seven out of nine matches, including a 2-0 victory over Jamaica in October, a 1-1 draw with Trinidad and Tobago, and a 7-0 win against Bermuda, placing them at the top of their group with one match remaining.
In their final qualifying match, Curacao will face Jamaica, who are just one point behind and need a win to secure their own qualification.
Advocaat Aims for Another World Cup at 78
The man leading Curacao to the brink of World Cup qualification is Dick Advocaat, one of the most experienced managers in football. Since January 2024, the 78-year-old Dutchman has been at the helm of his eighth national team, following previous roles with the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Belgium, Russia, Serbia, and Iraq.
Advocaat guided the Netherlands to the quarter-finals of the 1994 World Cup and led South Korea in the group stage in 2006. His extensive club management experience includes stints at PSV Eindhoven, Rangers, Zenit St Petersburg, Sunderland, and Feyenoord.
He took over as Curacao's coach after a payment dispute between the players and the football association was resolved, setting his sights on qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Should he manage Curacao at the finals, Advocaat would become the oldest manager to participate in a men's World Cup, surpassing Otto Rehhagel's record from 2010.
Midfielder Bacuna remarked, "Everyone knows Dick Advocaat is a big name; he is a respected coach. His presence is crucial for us as a team and for the country, and his impact has been significant. We started working with him during the Nations League qualifiers, and we have seen noticeable growth in the team."
However, Advocaat is not expected to be on the touchline for the final match after leaving the team's camp due to "private circumstances". Curacao announced that assistant coaches Dean Gorre and Cor Pot will lead the team in his absence, maintaining communication with Advocaat regarding tactical preparations.
Dutch Talent and British-Based Players
Curacao's squad includes many players born in the Netherlands who have family ties allowing them to represent the national team. Notable members include Joshua Brenet (Livingston), Ar'jany Martha (Rotherham), Sontje Hansen (Middlesbrough), and Tahith Chong (Sheffield United), who was born in Curacao and previously played in the Premier League with Manchester United.
For Bacuna, playing for Curacao provided the opportunity to team up with his older brother Leandro, the national team captain. He stated, "I started playing for Curacao in 2019, which was a significant decision for me. At that time, I was only 21 and had plenty of time ahead of me to pursue a spot on the Dutch national team. However, I made the choice to represent Curacao early on, primarily to play alongside my brother and for our family to see us play together. Additionally, my chances of being called up for the Dutch national team seemed slim, so the decision was straightforward."
Bacuna believes that Curacao's recent footballing success will encourage more Dutch-born players to join the team known as The Blue Family. "We are witnessing more young players who are eligible for the Netherlands opting to represent Curacao, which strengthens our team," he added.
Ex-England Boss McClaren's Jamaica Standing in Curacao's Way
While Curacao only needs a draw, Jamaica, managed by former England coach Steve McClaren, will be favored to secure a home victory necessary for them to win the group and qualify for the World Cup for only the second time since their appearance in 1998.
Jamaican journalist Karen Madden remarked, "Football is perhaps the most popular sport in Jamaica, but we are currently facing significant challenges as we recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. We've witnessed a rallying effort with substantial support from international partners and numerous countries assisting us in this recovery process. Coach Steve McClaren mentioned that the players feel a bit of pressure to deliver, as qualifying for the World Cup would be immensely uplifting for our spirits."
Regardless of the outcome, both teams will have a second chance to qualify for the World Cup through intercontinental play-offs in March, where only two out of six nations will succeed. Madden noted that the Jamaican players would be eager to avenge their October defeat against Curacao, stating, "I remember watching that game on television, and the stadium was filled with blue-clad supporters. The Jamaican football community was shocked by the 2-0 defeat. With the roles reversed now, Curacao will be coming to Jamaica for the match at the national stadium."