The itinerary is demanding: Houston, Kansas City, Philadelphia. For a debutant without World Cup experience, what also counts is how well the coaching team can control the regeneration between the long flights.
These are the most important players from Curaçao
- Tahith Chong (Sheffield United, market value around 4.5 million euros): The offensive player is Curaçao’s most striking individual player, and not just because of his striking hair. Chong was born in Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao, and came to English professional football at Manchester United via Feyenoord Rotterdam. A few years ago he played in the Bundesliga for Werder Bremen. He comes on the offensive right wing or in the ten-man area.
- Armando Obispo (PSV Eindhoven, around 4 million euros): The central defender went through several Dutch youth national teams before choosing Curaçao. The left-footed player is strong in tackles, confident and straightforward in opening the game. His form will be crucial at the World Cup.
- Sontje Hansen (FC Middlesbrough, market value around 4 million euros): Hansen came to England from NEC Nijmegen in the summer of 2025. His first season at Middlesbrough was disappointing (only one goal in 17 games). It is still important for Curaçao. The winger is fast and strong in one-on-one situations: exactly what an outsider needs after winning the ball.
- Leandro Bacuna (Igdir FK, market value around 250,000 euros): The team’s captain leads the way with experience and, at 34 years old, has more than 600 competitive games under his belt. Whether in the Premier League, the Eredivisie or in Turkey: Bacuna has experienced football from several sides. At Curaçao he is the anchor in the defensive midfield and organizes the game of the football dwarf.
- Eloy Room (Miami FC, market value around 200,000 euros): Room is Curaçao’s support and leading figure. He brings a wealth of experience with him from his stints at Vitesse, PSV, Columbus Crew, Cercle Brugge and Miami FC. For Curaçao he is more than just a goalkeeper.
The old and new coach: Dick Advocaat
Advocaat is a coach of the old school: clear statements, defined roles on and off the pitch. It always worked for Curaçao: the players play all over the world and need quick organization in the national team because there is hardly any training time. Advocaat gave them exactly that – hierarchy, clarity, no tactical overload.
Rutten, on the other hand, seemed like a foreign body. He himself spoke of an environment in which professional work was hardly possible.
Why Advocaat is a better fit: He achieved the miracle of qualifying with the Caribbean island and because of that alone he has authority that no longer needs to be explained. The cabin knows his processes, his language, his limits. This is crucial for an outsider before a World Cup. Curaçao doesn’t need a coach to sell a new idea now. You need someone who the players follow when they defend against Germany for 90 minutes with their backs against the wall.
Game system and tactics
At the World Cup, Curaçao will not try to control opponents like Germany or Ecuador through possession. The basic system should be a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3. The first pressing line directs the build-up outwards. Behind them, the midfielders close the half spaces. Curaçao will try to condense the dangerous spaces to make life difficult for the opponents.
When in possession of the ball, the selection does not look for long passing sequences. The first look is forward. The brothers Juninho and Leandro Bacuna are supposed to secure the first contact after winning the ball. Then passes deep or to the wings follow. Tahith Chong and Sontje Hansen are important for this: They can pick up the pace after winning the ball, tie opponents and try to get past them one-on-one.