Curacao prepares for historic World Cup debut against Germany
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 14, 2026, 8:48 AM
Last updated Jun 14, 2026
Curacao, the smallest nation by size and population to qualify for the World Cup, will make its debut in Houston against Germany on Sunday. The team won all four games in its qualifying group and remains unbeaten in the second group stage. With only one player born on the island, the squad features a majority from the Netherlands following a shift to include Dutch-born talents. Curacao captain Leandro Bacuna expressed the pride of representing the island, and manager Dick Advocaat will become the oldest coach in World Cup history at age 78.
- •Curacao has a population of 158,000, smaller than the Isle of Man.
- •The team faces Germany, Ecuador, and Ivory Coast in Group E.
- •Eloy Room and Leandro Bacuna are notable Dutch-born players on the roster.
- •Captain Bacuna expresses pride in representing Curacao at the World Cup.
- 8:48 AMYahoo Sports — Smaller than Isle of Man & huge Dutch influence: Curacao making history
- 8:48 AMBBC Sport — Smaller than Isle of Man & huge Dutch influence: Curacao making history
"Curacao has possibly been most famous for its alcoholic drink of the same name - but now the nation is ready to announce itself at the World Cup.
"Curacao has possibly been most famous for its alcoholic drink of the same name - but now the nation is ready to announce itself at the World Cup.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 14, 2026, 8:48 AMSmaller than Isle of Man & huge Dutch influence: Curacao making history
Curacao has possibly been most famous for its alcoholic drink of the same name - but now the nation is ready to announce itself at the World Cup.
- BBC SportJun 14, 2026, 8:48 AMSmaller than Isle of Man & huge Dutch influence: Curacao making history
Curacao has possibly been most famous for its alcoholic drink of the same name - but now the nation is ready to announce itself at the World Cup.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
MLS•Jun 14, 2026, 10:00 AM‘It’s going to be extremely hot’: workers imperiled as sweltering World Cup temperatures are forecast- FIFA World Cup•Jun 14, 2026, 9:15 AMHow to watch Germany vs Curacao live: Stream, TV channel, team news, prediction
- FIFA World Cup•Jun 14, 2026, 9:10 AMWorld Cup Day 3: Brazil unconvincing, Scotland end wait, Swiss snoozefest
- Champions League•Jun 14, 2026, 9:09 AMFifa to pay Somali referee Artan full World Cup fee
- MLS•Jun 14, 2026, 8:49 AM📲 Germany, Netherlands, Turkey + kick off on Sunday; see schedule
- Bundesliga•Jun 14, 2026, 8:10 AMMarcus Rashford: Bayern Munich’s stance on pursuit of United ace
