CONCACAF’s next rising power? Curacao hopes making World Cup history (again) is just the start

KANSAS CITY — "We're going to party all week in Curacao. No sleep. The whole week. We got a point. The smallest nation in the World Cup. Curacao!" MORE — Lionel Messi, Argentina and the traveling circus come to KC That was the celebratory cry from one proud Curacaon supporter shortly after the final whistle on Saturday, as the tiny island nation of just 150,000 people earned its first-ever World Cup point in a thriller of a 0-0 draw with Ecuador. Goalkeeper Eloy Room (15 saves) came up one short of tying Tim Howard's all-time record for the most in a World Cup game, somehow thwarting a rampant Ecuadorian attack all night long, sometimes two and three saves at a time. The Blue Wave rebounded brilliantly after they were hammered 7-1 by Germany in their World Cup debut last week, proving they didn't get here by accident and that they belong at the top table. Curacao went unbeaten in CONCACAF qualifying (without the USA, Mexico or Canada involved) and is the smallest country to ever qualify for the tournament. Just being here has already galvanized the passionate population back home, even if only one of them were born in Curacao. "We're a small country but because we qualified for the World Cup, you saw the whole country unite and everyone become one. We are the Blue Wave, everyone [in Curacao] became the Blue Wave," one football-mad fan decked out in blue from head to toe, Jean, explained before kickoff. "We see different Americans here wearing out shirts, it makes us proud because they love an underdog story. We are here to win." Tahith Chong is the native-born player, a former Manchester United academy product and more recently in the Premier League with Luton Town, and he is Curacao's best outfield player — at least he was against Ecuador. The other 25 players on the 2026 World Cup roster were all born in the Netherlands but have strong ties to the island through parents and grandparents; even Chong joined the Feyenoord academy as a youngster and was developed there. 18 players in the current squad represented the Netherlands at youth international levels, and two — Riechedly Bazoer and Joshua Brenet — made appearances for the senior team. MORE — Today’s World Cup schedule, everyday The group came together largely over the course of a few years, with 15 of the 26 making their Curacao debuts since 2023, understanding that three CONCACAF countries hosting the tournament would present a special opportunity that might never come along again. The federation seized it and made history after just two games, now they have a real shot of getting into the knockout rounds and inspiring a nation to dream and believe even more. "For us to fly from Curacao to Miami, and now Kansas City, is amazing. You can feel the vibe, you can feel the energy of the people," Jean said. "Everybody knows we're the underdogs, they are pointing to us and everyone wants to take pictures with us." The pipeline of Dutch talent to the Curacaoan national team is unlikely to slow anytime soon, and could quickly see them making waves in upcoming CONCACAF competitions. After the USMNT and Mexico (and more recently Canada), the next-best team in CONCACAF at any given time is one of a dozen different different nations. Jamaica, Honduras and Costa Rica all failed to qualify this cycle after turning the page on previous generations that made them part of the furniture for a decade or more. Someone is always falling off, and someone is always rising. MORE — World Cup rankings: From 48 to 1 "It's David versus Goliath every time when you're Curacao," goes the local mantra and mindset, though they have closed the gap considerably in a short time and the recruiting pitch only gets sweeter after nights like this one. The appeal to potential players is obvious. You can have an international career and compete to play in World Cups, perhaps become an island hero for the rest of your days and deeply immerse yourself in your ancestral culture. The nation will be better for it, football in the Caribbean will be better for it, and the rest of CONCACAF would benefit as well. Of course, a new coach will probably have to be hired after the World Cup as 78-year-old Dick Advocaat, the former Netherlands manager (three different stints), is unlikely to continue after previously stepping aside late last year when his daughter became ill. He returned to the job this spring after his daughter's health improved. Advocaat is a bit of a legend in Curacao, rightly so, and the next man will have a big job on his hands to keep the vibes high and momentum moving forward. But those are what we call "good problems for another day," because Curacao's 2026 race is not yet run and the Blue Wave still has the unthinkable to play for when they face Ivory Coast on Thursday (4 pm ET). A win, coupled with Ecuador drawing or losing to Germany, would see Curacao finish 2nd and advance from Group E. Four points would also put Curacao in a strong position to advance as one of eight 3rd-place sides, should Ecuador win. We are now two games down here in KC, and we've had two moments of World Cup history made in our fair city — one as gigantic as they come, and the other the smallest of all time. Netherlands vs Tunisia, what do you have for us this week?