Curaçao's path to the World Cup was a demanding one. They began their journey in the second round of CONCACAF qualifying, drawn into a group alongside Haiti, Barbados, Saint Lucia, and Aruba. Curaçao swept through the stage with a perfect record of four wins from four matches to finish first. In the third round, they faced Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Bermuda, and once again topped the group to clinch direct qualification.
The squad is composed largely of Dutch-born players and those of Dutch descent, with Advocaat keeping faith in the core group that drove the qualification campaign. Among them is 26-year-old Tahith Chong, the former Manchester United prospect now at Sheffield United, who has scored twice in a handful of caps and will be looking to cement his place in the starting lineup. Veteran goalkeeper Eloy Room, one of the oldest players in the squad, is also included, as are the Bacuna brothers, midfielders Leandro and Juninho.
At 78, Advocaat will become the oldest manager ever to coach a team at a World Cup. He briefly stepped away from the role in February of this year for family reasons, but returned to the dugout after his replacement, Fred Rutten, also departed the position. This will be Advocaat's third World Cup as a head coach.
Curaçao have been drawn into Group E and will open their campaign against Germany on June 14th at NRG Stadium in Houston. They will then face Ecuador on June 20th at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, before closing out the group stage against Ivory Coast on June 25th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Curaçao 2026 World Cup Squad:
Goalkeepers: Tyrick Bodak (SC Telstar), Trevor Doornbusch (VVV-Venlo), Eloy Room (Miami FC)
Defenders: Riechedly Bazoer (Konyaspor), Joshua Brenet (Kayserispor), Roshon Van Eijma (RKC Waalwijk), Sherel Floranus (PEC Zwolle), Deveron Fonville (NEC Nijmegen), Jurien Gaari (Abha Club), Armando Obispo (PSV Eindhoven), Shurandy Sambo (Sparta Rotterdam)
Midfielders: Juninho Bacuna (FC Volendam), Leandro Bacuna (Igdır), Livano Comenencia (FC Zurich), Kevin Felida (FC Den Bosch), Ar’Jany Martha (Rotherham United), Tyrese Noslin (SC Telstar), Godfried Roemeratoe (RKC Waalwijk)
Forwards: Jeremy Antonisse (AE Kifisia), Tahith Chong (Sheffield United), Kenji Gorre (Maccabi Haifa), Sontje Hansen (Middlesbrough), Gervane Kastaneer (Terengganu FC), Brandley Kuwas (FC Volendam), Jurgen Locadia (Miami FC), Jearl Margaritha (SK Beveren)
