The 26-man roster for World Cup debutantes Curaçao was released last week, and on Monday arrived in the Dutch town of Noordwijk to begin their preparations. In addition to being the youngest country in the tournament (it became an independent constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 2010), it’s also the smallest in area and least populous nation to send a team.
Earlier in 2026, the architect of Curaçao’s successful qualification campaign, Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, stepped away from the team to care for his seriously ill daughter. However, when her health improved, he rejoined the team in mid-May. At 78 years, he will become the oldest coach in World Cup history.
Major Underdogs
It has never snowed in Curaçao (the coldest temperature ever recorded was 67.5°F), but it’s fair to say the streets of Willemstad have a better chance of seeing the white stuff than the team has of winning a match in the group stage. Their opposition is stiff: Germany, Ivory Coast and Ecuador. Only twelve players compete in a top flight league; the other fourteen play second division (or lower).
But the opposition will have to be wary. Nearly all these players developed inside the Netherlands, twelve still play in the country, and they have a coach with over 46 years of professional experience and two World Cup trips under his belt (1994 with the Netherlands and 2006 with South Korea). Take them for granted and Curaçao could take you to the cleaners.
Advocaat made very few changes to the history-making squad who won Concacaf’s Group B back in 2025. The Blue Wave went undefeated in six matches (3W, 3D), ultimately clinching their spot with a gritty 0-0 draw against Jamaica on the final match day.
Goalkeepers
- Tyrick Bodak (Telstar)
- Trevor Doornbusch (VVV-Venlo)
- Eloy Room (Miami FC)
Miami FC’s Room is the expected starter. The 37 year-old is the most experienced (he already has 67 caps), played with Columbus Crew for four seasons, and is battle-tested after the qualification campaign. His two back-ups have only 11 caps between the two.
Defenders
- Riechedly Bazoer (Konyaspor/TUR)
- Joshua Brenet (Kayserispor/TUR)
- Roshon van Eijma (RKC Waalwijk/NED)
- Sherel Floranus (PEC Zwolle/NED)
- Deveron Fonville (NEC Nijmegen/NED)
- Juriën Gaari (Abha/KSA)
- Armando Obispo (PSV Eindhoven/NED)
- Shurandy Sambo (Sparta Rotterdam/NED)
Advocaat will likely favor a back four with Sambo on the right, van Eijma and Obispo in the center, and Florianus on the left. It’s the quartet that earned qualification, and if they can keep a clean sheet it could be cause for national celebration.
Midfielders
- Juninho Bacuna (FC Volendam)
- Leandro Bacuna (Igdir FK)
- Livano Comenencia (FC Zürich)
- Kevin Felida (FC Den Bosch)
- Ar’jany Martha (Rotherham United)
- Tyrese Noslin (Telstar)
- Godfried Roemeratoe (RKC Waalwijk)
The Bacuna brothers are mainstays of the squad. Leandro (four inches taller) plays on the right, Juninho (six years younger) plays on the left. Both are critical playmakers for the team, with 115 caps and 29 goals between them. Zürich’s Livano Comenencia is the first-choice center midfielder. He’s young, only 22, but covers the entire pitch between the boxes and already has 17 caps.
Attackers
- Jeremy Antonisse (Kifisia FC)
- Tahith Chong (Sheffield United)
- Kenji Gorré (Maccabi Haifa)
- Sontje Hansen (Middlesbrough)
- Gervane Kastaneer (Terengganu)
- Brandley Kuwas (FC Volendam)
- Jearl Margaritha (SK Beveren)
- Jürgen Locadia (Miami FC)
Kenji Gorré was apparently the first player to arrive at the Noordwijk camp. He also scored a decisive goal in their 2-0 win over Jamaica back in October. That victory was the catalyst for the strong finish that resulted in their qualification. Jürgen Locadia has only earned 12 caps so far, but given his current hot streak with Miami FC (he’s scored four goals) will be a featured part of the Curaçaoan attack.
