What's Next for Curaçao
After making history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Curaçao returns to regional competition with renewed confidence and greater international attention
Curaçao's group includes five teams. Each team will play four group-stage matches during the September–October 2026 international window.
Curaçao's 2026 Fixtures
The Blue Wave begins its Nations League campaign away from home against Costa Rica. A demanding opening match against one of Central America's most experienced football nations.
Curaçao returns home to face Nicaragua in its second group match. Playing in front of the island's supporters will give the Blue Wave an important opportunity to build momentum.
The Blue Wave meets Trinidad and Tobago in a Caribbean battle. The match will test Curaçao's ability to control possession, defend against physical opponents and create chances in the final third.
Curaçao completes the first stage of its Nations League schedule with an away match against Trinidad and Tobago. Every point could be important in the race for a place in the quarter-finals.
Venues and kick-off times for these matches are expected to be confirmed separately.
The Road to Gold Cup 2027
The 2026/27 Concacaf Nations League also serves as a qualification route for the 2027 Concacaf Gold Cup. Curaçao's immediate objective is to finish among the top two teams in Group A.
The best teams will advance to the League A quarter-finals in November 2026, while the top performers will continue their campaign into the Nations League Finals in March 2027 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
2027: Building on World Cup History
If the Blue Wave advances from the Nations League group stage, it will compete in the League A quarter-finals in November 2026. The quarter-final winners will reach the Concacaf Nations League Finals, scheduled for March 2027 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
A strong Nations League campaign could secure another Gold Cup appearance and give the Blue Wave the chance to build on its previous best result: reaching the quarter-finals in 2019. The World Cup was a historic beginning — the next challenge is to turn that achievement into lasting progress.
World Cup 2026 Qualification
Curaçao reached the expanded 48-team World Cup by finishing first in both of its qualifying groups
Curaçao won all four matches in the second round and finished top of Group C with 12 points. The Blue Wave scored 15 goals and conceded only two.
Curaçao competed in a six-team group against Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Bermuda, among others. The team finished unbeaten with three wins and three draws, collecting 12 points and securing direct qualification. The decisive moment came in Kingston, where Curaçao drew 0–0 with Jamaica on the final matchday to confirm qualification.
Curaçao was drawn in Group E alongside Germany, Ecuador and Côte d'Ivoire at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Match Reports
Curaçao's debut tournament ended with one point, one goal scored and a memorable defensive performance against Ecuador
Curaçao made its FIFA World Cup debut against Germany in Houston on June 14, 2026. Livano Comenencia equalised in the 21st minute with Curaçao's first-ever World Cup goal. Germany eventually won 7–1, but Comenencia's goal became an immediate landmark in Curaçaoan sporting history.
Curaçao produced a disciplined defensive performance in Kansas City to earn its first World Cup point. Goalkeeper Eloy Room made a series of important saves as the Blue Wave held Ecuador to a goalless draw.
Curaçao ended its first World Cup campaign against Côte d'Ivoire in Philadelphia. Nicolas Pépé scored twice as Côte d'Ivoire won 2–0 and advanced to the knockout stage. Curaçao finished fourth in Group E with one point from three matches, but the team left the tournament having made history as a World Cup debutant.
Curaçao's 2026 World Cup Squad
26 players · FIFA World Cup 2026 · Head coach: Dick Advocaat · Roster announced May 18, 2026
Goalkeepers
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
Football History
A century of Curaçaoan football — from the Curaçao Football Association to the Blue Wave
The Curaçao Football Association was established in 1921. The federation organised the island's first local championship that same year.
The Curaçao football federation became affiliated with FIFA.
Following the creation of the Netherlands Antilles, football administration was consolidated under the Netherlands Antillean Football Union. Curaçaoan players subsequently represented the Netherlands Antilles national team.
The Netherlands Antilles finished third in the 1963 and 1969 CONCACAF Championships, the competition that preceded the modern Gold Cup.
The Netherlands Antilles were dissolved in 2010. Curaçao resumed its identity as a separate football nation, with the Curaçao Football Federation becoming the successor to the former Netherlands Antillean federation.
A new generation of Curaçaoan and Dutch-based players helped the national team qualify for the 2017 Caribbean Cup and the 2017 Gold Cup.
Curaçao defeated Jamaica 2–1 in the Caribbean Cup final and won its first major international trophy.
Curaçao reached the Gold Cup quarter-finals before losing 1–0 to the United States.
Curaçao topped its final-round qualifying group and secured direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Curaçao played at the FIFA World Cup for the first time. Livano Comenencia scored the country's first World Cup goal against Germany, and the team earned its first tournament point with a 0–0 draw against Ecuador.
After making history at the World Cup, Curaçao turns its attention to the 2026/27 Concacaf Nations League. With matches against Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Trinidad and Tobago, the Blue Wave begins a new chapter focused on consistency, development and qualification for the 2027 Gold Cup.
After reaching the World Cup for the first time, Curaçao enters 2027 with a new level of belief and ambition. The Blue Wave's goals are clear: compete with the strongest teams in CONCACAF, qualify for the 2027 Gold Cup and continue developing the next generation of Curaçaoan footballers.
Cheer Like a Local
Papiamentu phrases for match days
Sports Bars & Beach Bars
Match screenings, opening hours and reservations should be confirmed directly with each venue
The Greenhouse Bar & Restaurant
A confirmed sports-bar option where visitors can watch games with drinks, food and large-screen sports coverage.
Iguana Cafe
A waterfront restaurant at Handelskade offering international and island cuisine. Ask in advance whether the venue is screening the match.
De Heeren
A long-running bar and restaurant with a lively atmosphere. Its current listed location is Zuikertuintje Mall.
De Heeren @ Sea
A relaxed seaside venue in the Pietermaai district. Contact the venue before match day to confirm a screening.
Zanzibar Beach & Restaurant
A beachside restaurant and bar with food, drinks and sunset views. Match-day screenings should be checked directly.
Cabana Beach
A beach-club setting for drinks, food and events. Availability of football screenings may vary by match.
Blue Bay Beach Club
A resort beach venue suitable for a relaxed match-day experience. Confirm screen availability and reservations before visiting.
Pirate Bay
A beach club and restaurant at Piscadera Bay, with food, drinks, music events and a casual seaside atmosphere.