Curacao announce official squad for FIFA World Cup 2026 ft. former Man United star Tahith Chong
(Courtesy : Getty)
This will be their first-ever World Cup appearance.
Curaçao are the smallest country to ever qualify for the FIFA World Cup, with a population of just over 150,000 and a land area of 171 square miles.
The small Caribbean country, which is a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, won their CONCACAF group with a goalless draw against Jamaica, guaranteeing their place in the tournament this summer.
The Blue Wave’s qualifying campaign was led by Dick Advocaat, who managed the Netherlands in the USA in 1994 and the Republic of Korea in Germany in 2006. He replaced fellow Dutchman Fred Rutten last month after resigning for personal reasons in February.
With the help of gifted players like Tahith Chong, Kenji Gorré, and the Bacuna brothers, Curaçao defeated Jamaica and Bermuda to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup as one of the biggest surprises in the area.
The Blue Wave will make their tournament debut in North America, where they will compete in Group E against Germany, Ecuador, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Curacao’s squad for FIFA World Cup 2026
Goalkeepers: Tyrick Bodak (SC Telstar), Trevor Doornbusch (VVV-Venlo), Eloy Room (Miami FC)
Defenders: Riechedly Bazoer (Konyaspor), Joshua Brenet (Kayserispor), Roshon Van Eijma (RKC Waalwijk), Sherel Floranus (PEC Zwolle), Deveron Fonville (NEC Nijmegen), Juriën Gaari (Abha Club), Armando Obispo (PSV Eindhoven), Shurandy Sambo (Sparta Rotterdam)
Midfielders: Juninho Bacuna (FC Volendam), Leandro Bacuna (Iğdır), Livano Comenencia (FC Zürich), Kevin Felida (FC Den Bosch), Ar’Jany Martha (Rotherham United), Tyrese Noslin (SC Telstar), Godfried Roemeratoe (RKC Waalwijk)
Forwards: Jeremy Antonisse (AE Kifisia), Tahith Chong (Sheffield United), Kenji Gorré (Maccabi Haifa), Sontje Hansen (Middlesbrough), Gervane Kastaneer (Terengganu FC), Brandley Kuwas (FC Volendam), Jürgen Locadia (Miami FC), Jearl Margaritha (SK Beveren)
Curaçao’s World Cup Schedule
- June 14: Curaçao vs. Germany — Houston Stadium (1 p.m. ET)
- June 20: Curaçao vs. Ecuador — Kansas City Stadium (8 p.m. ET)
- June 25: Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast — Philadelphia Stadium (4 p.m. ET)
Where is Curacao located?
It’s located within the Kingdom of Netherlands with a population of 150,000.
When was the last time they played in World Cup?
It will be their first-ever World Cup appearance.
Which World Cup group are they in?
They are in Group E.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.
After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.