Curaçao makes history tonight as the smallest nation by population ever to appear at a men’s World Cup, when they walk out at the Houston Stadium to face four-time champions Germany in Group E. The Caribbean island, home to roughly 158,000 people and spanning just 171 square miles, surpasses Iceland’s previous record and will become the 80th nation to debut at the tournament. For a side ranked 82nd in the world by FIFA, the scale of the challenge is immense – but their very presence on this stage represents a decade-long project that has defied every expectation.
Curaçao’s Historic Debut
Curaçao’s route to the World Cup is a story of strategic recruitment and resilience. The national team, recognised by FIFA in 2011 as the direct successor to the Netherlands Antilles, won the Caribbean Cup in 2017 and reached the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-finals in 2019. But it is their unbeaten qualifying campaign – seven wins, three draws and 28 goals scored – that secured the historic breakthrough. The man tasked with guiding them through that run is 78-year-old Dutch manager Dick Advocaat, who after briefly stepping down in February due to family health concerns, returned in May and is now poised to become the oldest manager in World Cup history.
The squad reflects a deliberate diaspora strategy: many players were born and developed in the Netherlands, recruited through their Curaçaoan heritage. In fact, Tahith Chong, the Sheffield United winger, is the only member of the 26-man roster born on the island itself. Captain Leandro Bacuna, who is expected to earn his 73rd cap this evening, brings Premier League experience from Aston Villa, Reading, Cardiff and Watford. He is joined by his brother Juninho Bacuna, plus forwards Jürgen Locadia and Riechedly Bazoer and goalkeeper Eloy Room. The full squad, named earlier today, includes goalkeepers Tyrick Bodak, Trevor Doornbusch and Room; defenders Joshua Brenet, Roshon Van Eijma, Sherel Floranus, Deveron Fonville, Jurien Gaari, Armando Obispo and Shurandy Sambo; midfielders Livano Comenencia, Kevin Felida, Ar’Jany Martha, Tyrese Noslin and Godfried Roemeratoe; and forwards Jeremy Antonisse, Kenji Gorre, Sontje Hansen, Gervane Kastaneer, Brandley Kuwas and Jearl Margaritha.
The contrast in World Cup experience could hardly be starker. Germany are contesting their 19th World Cup, have won the trophy four times – second only to Brazil – and have advanced past the group stage in 16 of their 18 previous appearances. Curaçao have never played at this level before, and the match is the first meeting between the two nations at any level. Betfair odds reflect the gulf: Germany are priced at 1/33 to win, Curaçao at 35/1, with a draw at 16/1. The prediction from Standard Sport is a 2-0 victory for the Germans.
Germany’s Quest for Redemption
For Julian Nagelsmann’s side, this tournament is about restoring a reputation tarnished by back-to-back group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022. Appointed in September 2023, the 38-year-old Nagelsmann – the second-youngest coach in German national team history – has guided his team through a dominant qualifying campaign (five wins from six in UEFA Group A, 16 goals scored, three conceded) and enters on a nine-match winning streak. The pressure is on to make a statement from the opening whistle.
That ambition is underscored by the return of Manuel Neuer. The 40-year-old goalkeeper, who retired from international duty after Euro 2024 with 124 caps, reversed that decision for this World Cup – his fifth – and has been battling a calf injury sustained in the final Bundesliga match of the season. He missed pre-tournament friendlies against Finland and the United States, with Oliver Baumann deputising, but Neuer has returned to full training and is expected to start. His leadership and shot-stopping are considered vital to Germany’s hopes.
Nagelsmann can call on a formidable attacking unit. Jamal Musiala, described as the creative engine with 40 caps and eight goals, will operate alongside Florian Wirtz – making his World Cup debut after missing the 2022 tournament through injury – and Leroy Sane. Kai Havertz leads the line despite an injury-plagued period. In midfield, Aleksandar Pavlovic is set to partner Felix Nmecha, with Joshua Kimmich captaining the side from right-back. The predicted XI is: Neuer; Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, Nico Schlotterbeck, Benjamin Henrichs (listed as “Brown” in earlier reports); Nmecha, Pavlovic; Sane, Musiala, Wirtz; Havertz. The only injury concern before the tournament was Bayern Munich youngster Lennart Karl, who was ruled out with a muscle tear.
Team News
Germany have no fresh fitness worries ahead of kick-off. Nagelsmann is expected to field his strongest available side, with the luxury of a fully fit squad aside from Karl’s absence. Notable omissions from the final 26 include Karim Adeyemi, Robert Andrich, Niclas Füllkrug, Serge Gnabry and Marc-André ter Stegen. For Curaçao, Advocaat is likely to rely on the experience of Bacuna, Chong, Bazoer and Locadia. The match kicks off at 6pm BST (1pm ET) at Houston Stadium – the NRG Stadium, which opened in August 2002, has a capacity of 72,220 and features a retractable roof. UK viewers can watch live on ITV1 from 5pm, with streaming via ITVX.
