WILLEMSTAD – The football federations of Curaçao and Aruba have confirmed plans for an international friendly match as both associations meet this week at the annual FIFA Congress in Vancouver.
Officials from the Federashon Futbòl Kòrsou (FFK) and the Arubaanse Voetbal Bond (AVB) used the gathering to finalize arrangements for the upcoming inter-island clash, which will be played on June 6 at Ergilio Hato Stadium. The match is scheduled as one of Curaçao’s final preparations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
FFK and AVB
The friendly is expected to draw major interest from supporters in both Curaçao and Aruba, especially as Curaçao prepares for its historic first-ever appearance at the World Cup.
More details, including ticket sales and matchday logistics, are expected to be announced by the FFK in the coming days.
The FIFA Congress itself is addressing major football governance issues, including FIFA’s annual financial report, future budget planning and international policy matters such as anti-racism initiatives and football development worldwide.
This year’s Congress has also drawn attention due to geopolitical tensions involving Iran.
Iranian football officials were absent from the Vancouver gathering after travel complications in Canada.
Initial reports suggested the delegation had been denied entry, but Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj later stated that Canadian authorities eventually cleared him to enter, but the delegation chose to return home after being detained and questioned at Toronto airport. Taj’s past links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which Canada classifies as a terrorist organization, were reportedly central to the questioning.
The incident has added further uncertainty around Iran’s participation in the upcoming World Cup, although FIFA President Gianni Infantino has publicly confirmed that Iran will participate as scheduled.
For Curaçao, the focus remains firmly on football.
The national team, known as The Blue Wave, made history by qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time and will become one of the smallest nations ever to appear at the tournament. Curaçao opens its World Cup campaign against Germany national football team on June 14 in Houston.
The June 6 match against Aruba is expected to be the final home send-off before the team departs for the tournament, giving local fans one last chance to see the squad in action on home soil.