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Curaçao national football team facts for kids

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Curaçao
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) La Familia Azul
La Pantera Negra
La Pantera Azul
Association Federashon Futbòl Kòrsou
Confederation CONCACAF (North America)
Sub-confederation CFU (Caribbean)
Head coach Dick Advocaat
Captain Cuco Martina
Most caps Cuco Martina (65)
Top scorer Rangelo Janga (21)
Home stadium Stadion Ergilio Hato
FIFA code CUW
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current NR (7 February 2019)
Highest 68 (July 2017)
Lowest 188 (December 2003)
Elo ranking
Current 125 Increase 17 (3 March 2019)
Highest 43 (5 March 1948)
Lowest 188 (25 October 2012)
First international
 Dominican Republic 1–0 Curaçao 
(San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic; 18 August 2011)
Biggest win
 Curaçao 10–0 Grenada 
(Willemstad, Curaçao; 10 September 2018)
Biggest defeat
 Argentina 7–0 Curaçao 
(Santiago del Estero, Argentina; 28 March 2023)
Gold Cup
Appearances 2 (first in 2017)
Best result Quarter-finals (2019)
Medal record
CFU Caribbean Cup
Gold 2017 Martinique Team

The Curaçao national football team represents the island of Curaçao in international football games. The team is managed by the Curaçao Football Federation (FFK).

Curaçao became its own country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 2010. Because of this change, the Curaçao national team started playing under its new status in 2011. Both FIFA and CONCACAF (the football organization for North and Central America and the Caribbean) see the Curaçao team as the direct follow-up to the older Curaçao (1921–1958) and the Netherlands Antilles national football teams.

History of Curaçao Football

The first football team named Curaçao started playing in 1924. Their first game was against Aruba, which they won 4–0.

In 1954, the area of Curaçao became the Netherlands Antilles. This new country included several islands like Aruba, Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten. The football team's name changed to the Netherlands Antilles national team, representing all these islands.

In 1986, Aruba became its own country, so Aruban players no longer played for the Netherlands Antilles team.

On October 10, 2010, the Netherlands Antilles split up. Curaçao and Sint Maarten became separate countries. The other islands became part of the Netherlands. Even though Curaçao is not a fully independent country, FIFA recognized it as the official successor to the Netherlands Antilles in March 2011. This means Curaçao took over the historical records and FIFA ranking of the Netherlands Antilles.

The new Curaçao national team played its first game on August 20, 2011, against the Dominican Republic. They lost that game 1–0.

A big moment for Curaçao happened during the qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. They beat Cuba based on the away goals rule, which means they scored more goals away from home.

Curaçao also had a great run in the 2017 Caribbean Cup. They beat Martinique 2–1 in the semi-finals. Then, they faced Jamaica, who had won the cup six times before. Curaçao won 2–1, winning their first-ever Caribbean Cup!

Recent Games

This section shows the results of recent matches and any upcoming games.

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

2024 Matches

Upcoming Matches (2025)

Coaching Staff

Position Name
Head coach Netherlands Dick Advocaat
Assistant coach Netherlands Cor Pot
Curaçao Giovanni Franken
Goalkeeper coach Netherlands Raymond Mulder
Fitness coach Curaçao Angelo Cijntje
Video Analist Netherlands Léon Hese
Doctor Netherlands Casper van Eijck
Press Officer Netherlands Kees Jansma
Team Manager Netherlands Wouter Jansen
Content Creator Netherlands Anouar Amrani

Coaching History

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.
  • Argentina Manuel Bilches (2011–12)
  • Curaçao Ludwig Alberto (2012–14)
  • Curaçao Igemar Pieternella (2014)
  • Curaçao Etienne Siliee (2014–15)
  • Netherlands Patrick Kluivert (2015–16)
  • Netherlands Remko Bicentini (2016–20)
  • Netherlands Guus Hiddink (2020–21)
  • Netherlands Patrick Kluivert (2021)
  • Netherlands Art Langeler (2022)
  • Netherlands Remko Bicentini (2022–2023)
  • Suriname Dean Gorré (2023)
  • Netherlands Dick Advocaat (2024–)

Players

Current Squad

The following 23 players were chosen for the 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League B games in November 2024.

Caps and goals are counted as of November 18, 2024, after the game against Saint Lucia.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Eloy Room (captain) (1989-02-06) 6 February 1989 (age 36) 56 0 Belgium Cercle Brugge
1GK Trevor Doornbusch (1999-07-06) 6 July 1999 (age 25) 6 0 Unattached
1GK Nino Fancito (2004-09-30) 30 September 2004 (age 20) 0 0 Netherlands FC Eindhoven

2DF Juriën Gaari (1993-12-23) 23 December 1993 (age 31) 45 1 Saudi Arabia Al Hazem
2DF Jurich Carolina (1998-07-15) 15 July 1998 (age 26) 15 1 Bosnia and Herzegovina FK Borac
2DF Roshon van Eijma (1998-06-09) 9 June 1998 (age 27) 14 0 Netherlands RKC Waalwijk
2DF Sherel Floranus (1998-08-23) 23 August 1998 (age 26) 13 0 Netherlands PEC Zwolle
2DF Shanon Carmelia (1989-03-20) 20 March 1989 (age 36) 38 2 Netherlands Hercules
2DF Joshua Brenet (1994-03-20) 20 March 1994 (age 31) 8 1 Qatar Al Rayyan
2DF Ar'jany Martha (2003-09-04) 4 September 2003 (age 21) 4 0 Belgium Beerschot
2DF Tyrique Mercera (2003-12-19) 19 December 2003 (age 21) 1 0 Netherlands SC Cambuur

3MF Leandro Bacuna (1991-08-21) 21 August 1991 (age 33) 57 15 Netherlands FC Groningen
3MF Juninho Bacuna (1997-08-07) 7 August 1997 (age 27) 35 11 Saudi Arabia Al Wehda FC
3MF Kevin Felida (1999-11-11) 11 November 1999 (age 25) 16 0 Netherlands RKC Waalwijk
3MF Godfried Roemeratoe (1999-08-19) 19 August 1999 (age 25) 15 1 Netherlands RKC Waalwijk
3MF Livano Comenencia (2004-02-03) 3 February 2004 (age 21) 4 0 Italy Juventus
3MF Brandley Kuwas (1992-09-19) 19 September 1992 (age 32) 28 2 Netherlands Volendam

4FW Kenji Gorré (1994-09-29) 29 September 1994 (age 30) 26 3 Qatar Umm Salal
4FW Xander Severina (2001-04-12) 12 April 2001 (age 24) 5 1 Israel Maccabi Haifa
4FW Gervane Kastaneer (1996-06-09) 9 June 1996 (age 29) 17 5 Unattached
4FW Jeremy Antonisse (2002-03-29) 29 March 2002 (age 23) 12 1 Portugal Moreirense
4FW Joshua Zimmerman (2001-05-23) 23 May 2001 (age 24) 9 1 Netherlands Top Oss
4FW Jearl Margaritha (2000-04-10) 10 April 2000 (age 25) 10 4 United States Phoenix Rising

Player Records

These tables show the players with the most games played and the most goals scored for Curaçao. Players in bold are still playing for the team.

Most Appearances

Audi- quattro-Cup 17
Cuco Martina has played the most games for Curaçao with 65 appearances.
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Cuco Martina 65 1 2011–present
2 Leandro Bacuna 57 15 2016–present
3 Eloy Room 56 0 2015–present
4 Gevaro Nepomuceno 52 8 2014–present
5 Juriën Gaari 45 1 2016–present
6 Rangelo Janga 42 21 2016–present
7 Elson Hooi 38 10 2015–present
Shanon Carmelia 38 2 2011–present
9 Juninho Bacuna 35 11 2019-present
Darryl Lachman 35 1 2015–2024

Top Goalscorers

Rangelo Janga - CFR Cluj - Lazio 0-0 (52708030334) (cropped)
Rangelo Janga is Curaçao's top scorer with 21 goals.
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Rangelo Janga 21 42 0.5 2016–present
2 Leandro Bacuna 15 57 0.27 2016–present
3 Juninho Bacuna 11 35 0.23 2019–present
4 Elson Hooi 10 38 0.26 2015–present
5 Felitciano Zschusschen 9 14 0.64 2015–2017
6 Gino van Kessel 8 26 0.31 2015–present
Gevaro Nepomuceno 8 52 0.15 2014–present
8 Rocky Siberie 6 6 1 2011
Jurensley Martina 6 8 0.75 2012–present
10 Mirco Colina 5 15 0.33 2011–2021
Gervane Kastaneer 5 17 0.23 2018–present

Competitive Record

Curaçao has played in many football tournaments. Before 2011, the team played as the Territory of Curaçao (1921–1958) and then as the Netherlands Antilles (1958–2010). Since 2011, they play as Curaçao.

FIFA World Cup

Curaçao has not yet qualified for the FIFA World Cup.

FIFA World Cup
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
as Curaçao and Dependencies Territory of Curaçao
Uruguay 1930 Not a FIFA member
Italy 1934 Did not enter
France 1938
Brazil 1950
Switzerland 1954
Sweden 1958 Did not qualify
as  Netherlands Antilles
Chile 1962 Did not qualify
England 1966
Mexico 1970
Germany 1974 CONCACAF Championship
Argentina 1978
Spain 1982
Mexico 1986
Italy 1990
United States 1994
France 1998
South Korea Japan 2002
Germany 2006
South Africa 2010
as  Curaçao
Brazil 2014 Did not qualify
Russia 2018
Qatar 2022
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total - 0/21 - - - - - -
*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

CONCACAF Gold Cup

The CONCACAF Gold Cup is the main football competition for teams in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

CONCACAF Championship & Gold Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
as  Netherlands Antilles
El Salvador 1963 Third place 3rd 8 5 0 3 14 9 Squad
Guatemala 1965 Fifth place 5th 5 0 2 3 4 16 Squad
Honduras 1967 Did not qualify
Costa Rica 1969 Third place 3rd 5 2 1 2 9 12 Squad
Trinidad and Tobago 1971 Did not enter
Haiti 1973 Sixth place 6th 5 0 2 3 4 19 Squad
Mexico 1977 Did not qualify
Honduras 1981
1985
1989
United States 1991
United States Mexico 1993 Did not enter
United States 1996 Did not qualify
United States 1998
United States 2000
United States 2002 Did not enter
United States Mexico 2003 Did not qualify
United States 2005 Withdrew
United States 2007 Did not qualify
United States 2009
as  Curaçao
United States 2011 Did not qualify
United States 2013
United States Canada 2015
United States 2017 Group stage 11th 3 0 0 3 0 6 Squad
United States Costa Rica Jamaica 2019 Quarter-finals 8th 4 1 1 2 2 3 Squad
United States 2021 Withdrew
United States Canada 2023 Did not qualify
Total Third place 6/27 30 8 6 16 33 65
*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

CONCACAF Nations League

This is a newer competition for teams in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

CONCACAF Nations League record
Season Division Group Pld W D L GF GA P/R
2019–20 A D 4 1 2 1 3 3 Same position
2022–23 A C 4 1 0 3 2 8 Same position
2023–24 A A 4 1 0 3 6 7 Decrease
2024–25 B B 6 4 1 1 15 4 Increase
Total 18 7 3 8 26 22
*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

CFU Caribbean Cup

The Caribbean Cup was a football tournament for teams in the Caribbean. Curaçao won it once.

CFU Championship & Caribbean Cup record
Year Result Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
as  Netherlands Antilles
Trinidad and Tobago 1978 Did not qualify
Suriname 1979 Did not enter
Puerto Rico 1981
French Guiana 1983 Did not qualify
Barbados 1985 Did not enter
Martinique 1988
Barbados 1989 Group stage 2 0 2 0 2 2 -
Trinidad and Tobago 1990 Did not qualify
Jamaica 1991
Trinidad and Tobago 1992
Jamaica 1993 Did not enter
Trinidad and Tobago 1994
Cayman Islands Jamaica 1995 Did not qualify
Trinidad and Tobago 1996
Antigua and Barbuda Saint Kitts and Nevis 1997
Jamaica Trinidad and Tobago 1998 Group stage 3 0 0 3 2 9 -
Trinidad and Tobago 1999 Did not qualify
Trinidad and Tobago 2001 Did not enter
Barbados 2005
Trinidad and Tobago 2007 Did not qualify
Jamaica 2008
Martinique 2010
as  Curaçao
Jamaica 2014 Group stage 3 0 0 3 5 10 Squad
Martinique 2017 Champions 2 2 0 0 4 2 Squad
Total Champions 10 2 2 6 13 23 -
*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

ABCS Tournament

The ABCS Tournament is a friendly football competition between teams from Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, and Suriname.

ABCS Tournament
Year Result GP W D* L GS GA
Curaçao 2010 Runners-up 2 1 1 0 5 2
Suriname 2011 Fourth place 2 0 0 2 1 5
Aruba 2012 Third place 2 1 0 1 11 5
Curaçao 2013 Runners-up 2 1 0 1 3 3
Suriname 2015 Third place 2 1 1 0 4 1
Curaçao 2021 Champions 2 2 0 0 8 1
Curaçao 2022 Champions 2 0 2 0 4 4
Total Champions 14 6 4 4 36 21
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Team Records

Biggest Wins

  • Largest win: 10–0 against  Grenada on September 10, 2018.
  • Largest win at the CONCACAF Championship finals: 4–1 against Honduras on April 7, 1963.
  • Largest win at the Caribbean Cup finals: 2–1 against Martinique on June 22, 2017, and 2–1 against Jamaica on June 25, 2017.
  • Largest win at the ABCS Tournament: 9–2 against Bonaire on July 15, 2012.

Highest Scoring Draws

  • 2–2 against Suriname on September 25, 2011 (Friendly).
  • 2–2 against Haiti on October 11, 2011 (World Cup Qualifier).
  • 2–2 against Puerto Rico on September 3, 2014 (Caribbean Cup Qualifier).
  • Highest scoring draw at the ABCS Tournament: 2–2 against Suriname on October 31, 2010, and 2–2 against Aruba on November 24, 2022, and 2–2 against Suriname on November 26, 2022.

Biggest Defeats

  • Largest defeat: 7–0 against Argentina on March 28, 2023 (Friendly).
  • Largest defeat at the CONCACAF Gold Cup: 0–2 against  Jamaica on July 9, 2017; 0–2 against on July 13, 2017; and 0–2 against on July 17, 2017.
  • Largest defeat at the Caribbean Cup finals: 4–1 against on November 15, 2014.
  • Largest defeat at the ABCS Tournament: 3–1 against Bonaire on December 2, 2011, and 3–1 against Suriname on November 16, 2013. Also 2–0 against Suriname on December 4, 2011.

Honours

Major Competitions

Continental

  • CONCACAF Championship/Gold Cup
    • 3 Third place (2): 1963*, 1969*

Regional Competitions

  • CCCF Championship1
    • Runners-up (3): 1955, 1957, 1960*
    • Third place (1): 1941
  • CFU Caribbean Cup
    • Champions (1): 2017
  • Central American and Caribbean Games
    • Bronze medal (1): 1946

Friendly Competitions

  • ABCS Tournament
    • Champions (2): 2021, 2022
    • Runners-up (2): 2010, 2013
    • Third place (2): 2012, 2015
  • Four-Nations Tournament
    • Champions (1): 1944*
  • Phillip Seaga Cup
    • Champions (1): 1963*
  • Inter Expo Cup/Polar Cup
    • Champions (1): 2004*
    • Runners-up (2): 2006*, 2008*
  • Parbo Bier Cup
    • Champions (1): 2004*
  • King's Cup
    • Champions (1): 2019

* Trophies won as the Netherlands Antilles from December 16, 1946, to August 18, 2011.

  1. According to FIFA rules, this was an official major competition organized by CCCF for national teams. It was the organization before CONCACAF and worked with FIFA from 1938 to 1961.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Curazao para niños

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Curaçao national football team Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.