Curaçao national football team explained

The Curaçao national football team (nl|Curaçaos voetbalelftal; pap|Selekshon di Futbòl Kòrsou) represents Curaçao in international football, and is controlled by the Curaçao Football Federation (Federashon Futbòl Kòrsou; FFK).^[1]

Following a constitutional change that allowed its predecessor, the Colony of Curaçao and Dependencies to become a unified constituent country consisting of several island territories as the Netherlands Antilles and its dissolution in 2010, Curaçao has played under a new constitutional status as a separate constituent country since 2011.^[2]

Both FIFA and CONCACAF recognize the Curaçao national team to be the direct and sole successor of the dependant Curaçao (1921–1958) and the Netherlands Antilles national football teams.^{[3] [4] [5]}

History

The first national football team to bear the name Curaçao was the Territory of Curaçao national football team, which made its debut in 1924 in an away match against neighboring Aruba, a match which the Territory of Curaçao won four to nil. This happened in the stadium De Lupaso when the lights went off in the event of them selling Electricity to South Africa.

In December 1954, the territory of Curaçao became the Netherlands Antilles, and following a constitutional change the Netherlands Antilles were designated a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which included the islands of Aruba, Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarten. The name of the Curaçao team changed to Netherlands Antilles national team, representing all six islands.

In 1986, Aruba became a country within the Kingdom in its own right, with its own Aruba national team and subsequently Aruban players no longer represented the Netherlands Antilles.

On 10 October 2010, the Netherlands Antilles were dissolved, and Curaçao and Sint Maarten became countries in their own right, while Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius became part of the Netherlands proper. Although not a sovereign state, Curaçao (the largest island territory in the Netherlands Antilles) appeared on the FIFA member list in March 2011, as successor of the Netherlands Antilles.

As well as taking on the Netherlands Antilles' FIFA membership, Curaçao was recognised as the direct successor of the former (similarly to how Serbia is regarded the direct successor of Yugoslavia, and Russia for the Soviet Union), and took on its historical records and FIFA ranking.

They played their first match as the newly formed Curaçao national team on 20 August 2011 against Dominican Republic at the Estadio Panamericano, with the match ending in a 1–0 loss for Curaçao.

During the CONCACAF Qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Curaçao achieved a major feat when they defeated Cuba 1–1 with the away goals rule.

After a strong qualification campaign, Curaçao defeated host Martinique in the semi-finals of the 2017 edition of the Caribbean Cup with the score of 2–1. They met defending champions and six-time winners, Jamaica. Curaçao won their first ever Caribbean Cup by defeating Jamaica, again with the scoreline of 2–1.

Results and fixtures

See main article: Curaçao national football team results (2020–present). The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

2025

Coaching staff

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

Coaching history

Caretaker manager are listed in italics.

• Manuel Bilches (2011–12)
• Ludwig Alberto (2012–14)^[6]
• Igemar Pieternella (2014)^[6]
• Etienne Siliee (2014–15)^[7]
• Patrick Kluivert (2015–16)^[8]
• Remko Bicentini (2016–20)^[9]
• Guus Hiddink (2020–21)^[10]
• Patrick Kluivert (2021)
• Art Langeler (2022)
• Remko Bicentini (2022–2023)
• Dean Gorré (2023)
• Dick Advocaat (2024–)

Players

Current squad

The following 23 players were called up for the 2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League B matches against Saint Martin and Saint Lucia on respectively, 15 and 18 November 2024.^[11]

Caps and goals as of 18 November 2024, after the match against Saint Lucia.

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for the team in the last twelve months.^RET Player retired from the national team.
^SUS Player is serving suspension.
^INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
^PRE Preliminary squad.
^WD Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.
Notes:

• Caps do not include matches played for the former Netherlands Antilles, but solely appearances for the thereout subsequent country of Curaçao.

Player records

^[12]

Players in bold are still active with Curaçao.

Most appearances

width=30px	Rank	Player	width=50px	Caps	width=50px	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

width=30px	Rank	Player	width=50px	Goals	width=50px	Caps	width=50px	Ratio	Career
1	Rangelo Janga	21	42		2016–present
2	Leandro Bacuna	15	57		2016–present
3	Juninho Bacuna	11	35		2019–present
4	Elson Hooi	10	38		2015–present
5	Felitciano Zschusschen	9	14		2015–2017
6	Gino van Kessel	8	26		2015–present
	Gevaro Nepomuceno	8	52		2014–present
8	Rocky Siberie	6	6		2011
	Jurensley Martina	6	8		2012–present
10	Mirco Colina	5	15		2011–2021
	Gervane Kastaneer	5	17		2018–present

Competitive record

All competitive matches played from 1921 to 1958 were contested as the Territory of Curaçao (comprising all six islands of the Netherlands Antilles). From 1958 to 2010 all matches were contested as the Netherlands Antilles, successor of the Territory of Curaçao, (still comprising six islands until 1986, when Aruba seceded). All competitive fixtures after 2010 were contested by Curaçao, which solely consists of the island nation itself. Under the newly formed governing body, Curaçao have so far only competed in 2014, 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification, 2012 Caribbean Cup qualification, the 2014 and 2017 Caribbean Cup, the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup, 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, and the ABCS Tournament.

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup										Qualification
Year	Round	Position
as Territory of Curaçao
1930	Not a FIFA member									Not a FIFA member
1934	Did not enter	Did not enter
1938
1950
1954
1958	Did not qualify									3	1	0	2	4	7
as
1962	Did not qualify	6	2	2	2	4	14
1966	4	1	2	1	2	3
1970	4	1	0	3	3	9
1974	CONCACAF Championship
1978
1982
1986
1990
1994	2	0	1	1	1	4
1998	2	0	1	1	1	2
2002	2	0	1	1	1	6
2006	4	1	0	3	4	8
2010	4	2	1	1	3	1
as										as
2014	Did not qualify	6	2	1	3	15	15
2018	6	1	3	2	5	6
2022	6	3	2	1	16	3
2026	To be determined	2	2	0	0	6	1
2030	To be determined
2034
Total	-		-	-	-	-	-	-		51	16	14	21	65	79

• Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

CONCACAF Gold Cup

See main article: Curaçao at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

CONCACAF Championship & Gold Cup record											Qualification record
Year	Round	Position							Squad		Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
as
1963	Third place	3rd	8	5	0	3	14	9	Squad		2	2	0	0	4	1
1965	Fifth place	5th	5	0	2	3	4	16	Squad		Qualified automatically
1967	Did not qualify										4	0	2	2	4	6
1969	Third place	3rd	5	2	1	2	9	12	Squad		Qualified automatically
1971	Did not enter										Did not enter
1973	Sixth place	6th	5	0	2	3	4	19	Squad		Qualified automatically
	Did not qualify	2	0	0	2	1	9
1981	4	0	3	1	1	2
1985	2	0	1	1	0	4
1989	4	2	0	2	4	7
1991	2	0	0	2	0	5
1993	Did not enter										Did not enter
	Did not qualify	5	3	1	1	11	11
	1	0	0	1	1	2
2000	6	2	1	3	8	13
2002	Did not enter										Did not enter
2003	Did not qualify										4	1	1	2	3	6
2005	Withdrew										Withdrew
2007	Did not qualify	3	0	1	2	1	7
	5	1	1	3	5	11
as											as
	Did not qualify	3	0	1	2	5	7
	3	0	0	3	2	11
2015	9	2	3	4	11	15
2017	Group stage	11th	3	0	0	3	0	6	Squad		6	5	0	1	18	4
2019	Quarter-finals	8th	4	1	1	2	2	3	Squad		4	3	0	1	22	2
2021	Withdrew										4	1	2	1	3	3
2023	Did not qualify										5	1	1	3	3	9
Total	Third place	6/27	30	8	6	16	33	65	—		78	23	18	33	107	135

• Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

Gold Cup history
First Match	0–2 (9 July 2017; San Diego, California, United States)
Biggest Win	0–1 (21 June 2019; Houston, Texas, United States)
Biggest Defeat	0–2 (9 July 2017; San Diego, California, United States) 2–0 (13 July 2017; Denver, Colorado, United States) 0–2 (17 July 2017; San Antonio, Texas, United States)
Best Result	Quarter-finals (2019)
Worst Result	Group stage (2017)

CONCACAF Nations League

CONCACAF Nations League record
League											Finals
Season	Division	Group									Finals	Result
2019–20	A	D	4	1	2	1	3	3			2021	Did not qualify
2022–23	A	C	4	1	0	3	2	8			2023
2023–24	A	A	4	1	0	3	6	7			2024
2024–25	B	B	6	4	1	1	15	4			2025
Total	—	—	18	7	3	8	26	22	—		Total	0 Titles	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

• Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

CONCACAF Nations League history
First Match	1–0 (7 September 2019; Willemstad, Curaçao)
Biggest Win	5–3 (17 October 2023; Willemstad, Curaçao)
Biggest Defeat	4–0 (9 June 2022; Vancouver, Canada)
Best Result	—
Worst Result	—

CFU Caribbean Cup

CFU Championship & Caribbean Cup record										Qualification record
Year	Result							Squad		Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
as
1978	Did not qualify									4	1	1	2	1	5
1979	Did not enter	Did not enter
1981
1983	Did not qualify									Result Unknown
1985	Did not enter	Did not enter
1988
1989	Group stage	2	0	2	0	2	2	-		4	3	0	1	21	4
1990	Did not qualify	2	0	2	0	2	2
1991	2	0	0	2	0	5
1992	3	1	1	1	3	3
1993	Did not enter	Did not enter
1994
1995	Did not qualify	5	3	1	1	11	11
1996	1	0	0	1	0	1
1997	1	0	0	1	1	2
1998	Group stage	3	0	0	3	2	9	-		3	2	1	0	6	4
1999	Did not qualify									2	0	1	1	2	4
2001	Did not enter	Did not enter
2007	Did not qualify	3	0	1	2	1	7
2008	5	1	1	3	5	11
2010	3	0	1	2	5	7
as										as
2014	Group stage	3	0	0	3	5	10	Squad		6	2	3	1	6	5
2017	Champions	2	2	0	0	4	2	Squad		6	4	1	1	21	6
Total	Champions	10	2	2	6	13	23	-		50	17	14	19	85	77

• Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

ABCS Tournament

ABCS Tournament
Year	Result	GP	W	D*	L	GS	GA
2010	Runners-up	2	1	1	0	5	2
2011	Fourth place	2	0	0	2	1	5
2012	Third place	2	1	0	1	11	5
2013	Runners-up	2	1	0	1	3	3
2015	Third place	2	1	1	0	4	1
2021	Champions	2	2	0	0	8	1
	Champions	2	0	2	0	4	4
Total	Champions	14	6	4	4	36	21

• Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

All-time record against other nations

As of 15 November 2024^{[13] [14]}

Curaçao (2011–present)

The following matches were played as Curaçao (from 18 August 2011 until present)

Team	Pld	W	D	L
	4	1	0	3
	1	0	0	1
	4	3	1	1
	1	0	0	1
	2	1	0	1
	2	1	1	0
	3	2	1	0
	1	1	0	0
	3	0	0	3
	2	0	1	1
	4	1	2	1
	3	1	0	2
	7	0	3	4
	2	0	1	1
	4	3	1	0
	2	2	0	0
	1	0	1	0
	2	1	0	1
	4	1	2	1
	2	1	0	1
	1	1	0	0
	2	0	0	2
	3	1	1	1
	2	1	1	0
	1	0	0	1
	2	1	1	0
	1	0	0	1
	1	0	1	0
	2	0	1	1
	2	1	1	0
	1	1	0	0
	1	0	0	1
	3	1	0	2
	2	2	0	0
	3	1	0	2
	6	2	1	3
	2	1	0	1
	4	4	0	0
	1	1	0	0
	1	0	0	1
Total	95	37	19	39

Team records

Wins

Largest win :

• 10–0 vs on 10 September 2018

Largest win at the CONCACAF Championship finals :

• 4–1 vs Honduras on 7 April 1963, 1963 CONCACAF Championship

Largest win at the Caribbean Cup finals :

• 2–1 vs Martinique on 22 June 2017, 2017 Caribbean Cup
• 2–1 vs Jamaica on 25 June 2017, 2017 Caribbean Cup

Largest win at the ABCS Tournament :

• 9–2 vs Bonaire on 15 July 2012, ABCS Tournament 2012

Draws

Highest scoring draw

• 2–2 vs Suriname on 25 September 2011, Friendly
• 2–2 vs Haiti on 11 October 2011, 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
• 2–2 vs Puerto Rico on 3 September 2014, 2014 Caribbean Cup qualification

Highest scoring draw at the Caribbean Cup finals :

• None

Highest scoring draw at the Pan American Games :

• None

Highest scoring draw at the ABCS Tournament :

• 2–2 vs Suriname on 31 October 2010, 2010 ABCS Tournament
  • 2–2 vs Aruba on 24 November 2022, 2022 ABCS Tournament 2–2 vs Suriname on 26 November 2022, 2022 ABCS Tournament

Defeats

Largest defeat:

• 7–0 vs Argentina on 28 March 2023, Friendly

Largest defeat at the CONCACAF Gold Cup : 0–2 vs on 9 July 2017, 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup

• 0–2 vs on 13 July 2017, 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup
• 0–2 vs on 17 July 2017, 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup

Largest defeat at the Caribbean Cup finals :

• 4–1 vs on 15 November 2014, 2014 Caribbean Cup

Largest defeat at the ABCS Tournament :

• 3–1 vs Bonaire on 2 December 2011, ABCS Tournament 2011
• 3–1 vs Suriname on 16 November 2013, ABCS Tournament 2013
• 2–0 vs Suriname on 4 December 2011, ABCS Tournament 2011

Honours

Major competitions

Continental

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

Regional

• 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

• 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 16 December 1946 to 18 August 2011.

1. According to FIFA statutes, official major competition organized by CCCF for senior national teams. It was the predecessor confederation of CONCACAF and affiliated with FIFA as the governing football body in Central America and Caribbean from 1938 to 1961.

See also

• Territory of Curaçao national football team (1921–1958)
• Netherlands Antilles national football team (1958–2010)
• Aruba national football team
• Bonaire national football team
• Sint Maarten national football team
• Netherlands national football team

External links

• • Curaçao United – fan site
• Curaçao on FIFA.com (archived 12 March 2011)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Curazao pierde a su capitán para el juego ante la Selecta elsalvador.com. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170714164913/http://www.elsalvador.com/deportes/futbol/372358/curazao-pierde-a-su-capitan-para-el-juego-ante-la-selecta. 2017-07-14.
2. Book: Football and the Boundaries of History: Critical Studies in Soccer . Elsey, Brenda . Pugliese, Stanislao G. . 2017 . 121 . 9781349950065 . Springer . 25 June 2019.
3. https://web.archive.org/web/20190626032129/https://www.fifa.com/associations/association/cuw/about Curaçao
4. https://www.concacaf.com/en/member-association/curacao Curaçao
5. https://www.rsssf.org/tablesc/curacaochamp.html Curaçao — List of Champions
6. News: Bilches moet Curaçao naar WK leiden . 8 August 2011 . Curaçao Sport . 8 November 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141021181824/http://curacaosport.com/bilches-moet-curacao-naar-wk-leiden/ . 21 October 2014 .
7. News: Soca Warriors Win Caribbean Cup Opener . 12 November 2014 . Jamaica Gleamer . 15 November 2014 . 15 November 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141115052642/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20141112/sports/sports32.html . live .
8. News: Internationals Curaçao dolblij met komst Kluivert . 5 March 2015 . Metro Nieuws . 24 March 2015 . 13 September 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160913235112/http://www.metronieuws.nl/sport/2015/03/internationals-curacao-dolblij-met-komst-kluivert . live .
9. Web site: Remko Bicentini, Rihairo Meulens i Partido di Fogeo pa Selekshon di Futbol di Korsou. 24 August 2016. deporteawe.com. 22 March 2017. 18 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170118042544/http://www.deporteawe.com/2016/08/24/remko-bicentini-rihairo-meulens-partido-di-fogeo-pa-selekshon-di-futbol-di-korsou/. live.
10. Web site: Guus Hiddink nieuwe bondscoach Curaçao. FOX Sports. 21 August 2020. foxsports.nl. 21 August 2020. 24 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200824112404/https://www.foxsports.nl/nieuws/artikel/3252569/guus-hiddink-nieuwe-bondscoach-curacao. live.
11. Web site: FUTBÒL KÒRSOU - FFK Lista Definitivo . Instagram . Curacao Football News.
12. Web site: Curacao . National Football Teams . 3 August 2022 . 15 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230715170621/https://www.national-football-teams.com/country/280/2023/Curacao.html . live .
13. Web site: Curaçao Match history . Soccerway.com . 11 January 2012 . 18 September 2012 . 10 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181110201641/https://int.soccerway.com/teams/curacao/netherlands-antilles/matches/ . live .
14. Web site: World Football Elo Ratings. www.eloratings.net. en. 10 November 2018. 20 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181120071501/http://www.eloratings.net/Curacao. live.