Curaçao national team returns home for final preparations ahead of the 2026 World Cup

WILLEMSTAD, Curaçao — The Curaçao national soccer team returned home on Wednesday evening after completing a training camp in the Netherlands, entering the final stage of preparations for its historic debut at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The team arrived shortly after 6 p.m. and was greeted at the airport by family members, friends and supporters eager to welcome the players back to the island. Among those in attendance were relatives of several national team stars, including Riechedly Bazoer, Eloy Room and Ar’jany Martha.

The squad is now focused on the final weeks before embarking on what will be the most significant tournament in the nation’s sporting history. Curaçao secured its place in the World Cup after an impressive qualifying campaign in the CONCACAF region, becoming the smallest nation ever to qualify for soccer’s most prestigious tournament.

As part of the growing excitement surrounding the team’s appearance on the world stage, fans will have an opportunity to meet the players during a public meet-and-greet event scheduled for Thursday afternoon at The Fair Play Zone in Sambil. The event is one of several activities organized to celebrate Curaçao’s first-ever World Cup participation.

Before departing for the United States, the national team will play one final friendly match against Aruba on June 6 at Ergilio Hato Stadium. The game is being billed as the squad’s official farewell before the start of its World Cup campaign.

At the 2026 tournament, Curaçao will face a daunting challenge in Group E, where it is scheduled to compete against Germany, Ecuador and Ivory Coast. The team is led by veteran Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, who played a central role in guiding the island nation to its historic qualification.

Excitement continues to build not only in Curaçao but throughout the Dutch Caribbean, where supporters have rallied behind the team’s remarkable achievement. With the so-called “Blue Wave” preparing to take the field on soccer’s biggest stage, many fans are hoping the Caribbean underdog can surprise the international football community during its inaugural World Cup appearance.

For a nation of just over 150,000 people, the tournament represents more than a sporting milestone. It is a moment of national pride and an opportunity to showcase Curaçao to a global audience.