CONCACAF’s next rising power? Curacao hopes making World Cup history (again) is just the start
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Andy EdwardsSun, June 21, 2026 at 7:07 AM UTC·5 min readKANSAS 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!"
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AdvertisementAdvertisementThat 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.
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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.
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"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.
AdvertisementAdvertisementWe 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?
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
