From 1954 to 2010, Curaçao was part of the geopolitical region known as the Netherlands Antilles, along with Aruba, Bonaire, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Maarten. However, for the past 15 years, it has been able to boast of being an autonomous country belonging to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Therefore, to give just one example, all citizens of Curacao have a Dutch passport and enjoy the same rights as residents of the European Union.
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A unique case inspired by past memories could lead to an unprecedented event in soccer history. Curaçao could qualify for the 2026 World Cup without a single player born on its territory.
The 24 players called up by Dick Advocaat, who was the manager of Oranje in three different periods (1992-94, 2002-04 and 2017), were all born in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, but in Europe they played in Amsterdam, Groningen, Emmen, Haarlem and Rotterdam… “There are a lot of players who dreamed of playing for the Netherlands one day, some of whom are already 23 years old. They’re 24 or 25 years old and they’re not thinking about the national team anymore. We should give them a chance,” Advocaat said, referring to Leechley Bazoor and Justin Kluivert on their debuts.
Many of the players who dreamed of playing for the Netherlands one day are already 23, 24 or 25 years old and are not thinking about the national team.
The original list included Ilgen Locadia, as well as Curacao-born Tahith Chong (Willemstad 1999), but the Sheffield United midfielder was not “fit enough” and ultimately remained in England.
Birthplace of players called up to Curacao
Eloy Room (Nijmegen, Netherlands)
Tyrik Bodak (Almere, Netherlands)
Trevor Dornbusch (Haarlem, Netherlands)
Schrandy Sambo (Gerdrop, Netherlands) Rochon van Eyma (Tilburg, Netherlands)
Sherel Floranus (Rotterdam, Netherlands)
Armando Obispo (Boxtel, Netherlands)
Joshua Brenet (Kerkrade, Netherlands)
Deveron Fonwil (Niewehein, The Netherlands) Jurin Garry (Kerkrade, The Netherlands)
Godfried Romeratau (Oost Souburg, Netherlands)
Juninho Bacuna (Groningen, Netherlands)
Livano Comencia (Breda, Netherlands)
Leandro Bacuna (Groningen, Netherlands)
Aljanie Martha (Rotterdam, Netherlands)
Tyrese Noslin (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Kevin Felida (Spiekenisse, Netherlands)
Gervan Kastania (Rotterdam, Netherlands)
Jeremy Antonis (Rosmalen, Netherlands)
Sontje Hansen (Hoorn, Netherlands)
Kenji Gore (Spiekenisse, Netherlands)
Jrgen Locadia (Emmen, Netherlands)Jearl Margaritha (Groningen, Netherlands)
Jordi Paulina (Odijk, Netherlands)
“For a year and a half, I have been under a lot of pressure about players who still thought they could wear the Orange, but fortunately they chose Curaçao,” Advocaat emphasizes. “I’m proud. I have a lot of family in Curacao and going to the World Cup is a great experience. It can’t be compared to playing in the youth team. I’m really looking forward to what’s to come,” says Armando Obispo. (PSV), one of the last to join the “Blue Wave”.
I’m proud. I have a lot of family in Curacao and being able to participate in the World Cup was a great experience.
The truth is that they are riding a “good wave” regardless of whether they have overseas players or not. With Bermuda’s crushing defeat (0-7), Curacao (11 points) now stands alone at the top of Group B, with Jamaica in second place with 10 points heading into the final day of CONCACAF qualifying.
“Our arrival generated some skepticism, which was not surprising. In the past there were other coaches who were less successful (Kluivert, Hiddink, Vicentini…), so we could understand their position. But soon they realized that we did not come to Curaçao to bask in the sun,” recalls Advocaat’s assistant Cor Pott.
They quickly realized that we didn’t come to Curaçao to sunbathe.
“The coaches paid for the flights out of their own pocket,” says Advocaat, who turned things around. Just over 90 minutes left until Curaçao makes history. Cape Verde (4,033 sq km) – with an area of 444 sq km – will be dethroned as the smallest country to take part in the World Cup, while Iceland (population 331,000) will be dethroned as the least populated country – with just 155,000 people. Curiously, they will play Jamaica in Jamaica – a draw would suffice – without Advocaat. “It’s a very difficult decision to have to leave the boys here, but family is more important than football,” said the “little Napoleon”, who will be in charge of his assistants (Co Pot and Dean Golet). “I remain in close contact with the coaching staff and have full confidence in this group of players.”
It’s a very difficult decision to have to leave the boys here, but family is more important than football.
Netherlands national team manager Ronald Koeman also sympathized with Advocaat, saying: “It’s a shame that Dick has to leave the team for family reasons. I don’t know what they are, but I hope they’re not serious.” Whether they make it to the World Cup or not, one thing is for sure: they have already earned a place in the hearts of soccer fans.
