WILLEMSTAD - Prime Minister Gilmar “Pik” Pisas says Curaçao’s national football team has proven itself to be a squad defined by extraordinary perseverance. Their dedication and belief, he said, have propelled the island to its first-ever World Cup qualification. Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Sithree van Heydoorn, added that Curaçao’s participation in the global tournament will “make the island known all over the world.”

Both leaders addressed thousands of supporters on Wednesday evening during the official celebration at Waaigat, where the national team was honored after returning from Jamaica. The players arrived on the island early in the afternoon and immediately embarked on a triumphant four-hour parade across Curaçao on an open trailer. Along the route, enormous crowds gathered—several thousand people in total—to cheer for the team and celebrate the historic achievement.

Amid the joy and celebration, midfielder Juninho Bacuna took a moment to honor the memory of goalkeeper Jarzinho Pieter, who passed away six years ago at the age of 31 while preparing for a match against Haiti. According to Bacuna, Pieter had been one of the few who always firmly believed Curaçao would one day reach a World Cup. In the days leading up to the decisive match against Jamaica, Bacuna said he thought about Pieter constantly. He called on the public not to forget the late goalkeeper, whose dream the team has now fulfilled.

Curaçao’s qualification has sparked nationwide pride and emotional tributes, marking a milestone not only for the players but for the entire island community.