Inside tiny Curacao’s stunning run to the cusp of playing at first ever World Cup, managed by ex-Premier League boss
THERE are underdog stories, and then there is Curacao.
The small island, just 171m² in area, are potentially two games away from booking their place at the World Cup next summer.
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Curacao’s capital city Willemstad is a beautiful place – it could soon be full of partying fansCredit: Alamy
They’re a passionate bunch of fans – and they could be set for a World Cup experienceCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Will the players be celebrating come this time next week?Credit: Getty
Last month, Cape Verde became the smallest nation by size, 1,600m² to qualify for a World Cup.
This means you can fit NINE Curacao’s into Cape Verde.
Perhaps more famous for being an alcoholic drink rather than playing football, there will be a lot of cocktails sold on the island next week if they qualify.
Previously part of the Dutch Antilles, the former colony has only been its own nation since 2010, making it the world’s second newest independent country after South Sudan.
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The island is preparing for perhaps the biggest week in its short history as they take on Bermuda and Jamaica with everything to play for.
And the man tasked with leading them there is a former Premier League manager.
It could be one of the most incredible football stories of all-time.
Here’s all you need to know about the stunning island and its football team.
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WHERE IS IT?
Curacao is an island located in the Caribbean Sea, 37 miles north of Venezuela.
Despite being so close to the continent of South America, they have competed in the CONCACAF section of World Cup qualification.
Part of a constitutional monarchy, Willem-Alexander, who is King of the Netherlands, serves as Curacao’s Head of State.
Watching the World Cup on a TV screen in Curacao should be on the bucket listCredit: Alamy
WHAT IS THE ISLAND FAMOUS FOR?
Cocktails are very popular all over the world, and many opt for Blue Curacao to flavour up their drinks.
An orange-based liquor grown on the island and sold behind bars and in supermarkets has come to be the symbol of Curacao.
A Blue Lagoon cocktail is perhaps the most iconic – made with Blue Curacao, vodka and lemonade.
The most famous dish in Curaçao is Keshi Yena, a savory dish of hollowed-out cheese stuffed with spiced meat and vegetables, then baked until gooey.
Aside of its food and drink, the island looks like a paradise.
Characterised by its white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and stunningly colourful architecture, it is a hidden gem in the Caribbean.
Blue Curacao is a spirit used to spice up cocktailsCredit: Alamy
The party could well and truly star if Curacao qualifyCredit: Getty
WHO’S THE MANAGER?
With nearly 40 years of experience in management, former Sunderland and Rangers manager Dick Advocaat’s latest venture is in charge of Curacao.
It’s the 22nd different team he has managed.
Prior to this, he had an 18-year playing career which started in 1966 – the year of course, when England won the World Cup.
It means that Advocaat, who has been Curacao boss since January 2024, has almost 60 years worth of experience in football.
Former Huddersfield, Rangers and Birmingham midfielder Juninho Bacuna, who has 40 caps for Curacao, praised the work of his current boss.
Dick Advocaat is the current manager of CuracaoCredit: Getty
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live World Cup show Destination New Jersey this week, Bacuna said: “Everyone knows Dick Advocaat, he’s a big name and a big coach. Everyone respects him in the way he works.
“His presence is really big for us as a team, and also for the country itself. So his impact was really big.
“We have seen saw a big growth in the team – the way we work, the way we fight in the games, so I think his impact has been really big for us.”
The oldest manager to ever manage at a World Cup was Otto Rehhagel of Greece in 2010 at the age of 71 years and 317 days.
Should Advocaat stand on the touchline in North America with Curacao next summer, he would break that record by SEVEN YEARS.
Advocaat used to manage Sunderland in the Premier LeagueCredit: AFP
WHO IS THE BEST PLAYER?
Of the 29 players used by Advocaat in the six matches that Curacao have played in qualification so far, only two of them were born on the island – Rayvien Rosario and Tahith Chong.
The other 27 were born in the Netherlands, including former Manchester United winger Chong.
Despite representing the Netherlands from under-15 level all the way through to the under-21s, Chong recently switched his allegiance to play for his country of birth where his father is from.
Chong, currently at Sheffield United and once of Luton, was called up to Curacao for the first time in September and his immediate was impact.
After coming off the bench in the goalless draw against Trinidad & Tobago on his debut, he scored two in a 3-2 victory against Bermuda in the next match.
Chong will be key if Curacao are to seal qualification to the World Cup.
Tahith Chong counts Luton Town as one of his former clubsCredit: Getty
BROTHERLY LOVE
Although Chong is probably the star of the team, the Bacuna brothers embody the spirit of the nation.
Former Aston Villa man Leandro Bacuna plays alongside his brother, which was a dream of theirs as kids.
Juninho said: “I made a choice early to play for Curacao. It was a big decision for me at that time because I was only 21.
“One reason was of course, I can play in the same team as my brother.
“That was always a dream of mine and his, and for the family of course – for us to play together.”
If they play together at the World Cup next summer, it would be one of the best stories of the tournament.
Leandro (left) and Juninho (right) Bacuna celebrate together for CuracaoCredit: Getty
Leandro Bacuna played for Aston Villa and made over 100 appearances for the MidlandersCredit: Getty
DID YOU KNOW?
Earlier this year, Arsenal full-back Jurrien Timber set up Cruyff Court on the island of Curacao.
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Upon opening Cruyff Court in June, Timber said: “Being here in Curacao today to open a Cruyff Court means a lot to me.
“This is the island where my mother and my family come from. To be able to give the children here a safe place to play football and to give something back to the island makes me proud.”
Arsenal star Jurrien Timber could have represented Curacao through his mumCredit: Getty
