WILLEMSTAD – Curaçaoan baseball star Jonathan Schoop will not be part of the Netherlands national baseball team squad for the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) next month after being detained on Curaçao in a criminal investigation into illegal weapons possession.
The 34-year-old second baseman has been in custody since January 29 and is scheduled to appear before a examining magistrate on Friday, February 6, where a judge will decide whether he will remain in detention.
Schoop’s ongoing legal situation made his participation in the prestigious international tournament highly unlikely, and he was not included in the final Kingdom team roster announced this week.
Firearms Probe and Arrest
Police conducted searches of multiple homes on Curaçao as part of a broad operation into suspected illegal firearms possession. A total of nine individuals were arrested in connection with the investigation, and weapons, ammunition and related items were seized. Schoop’s home was among those searched, although officials have not publicly detailed his alleged role in the case.
The Public Prosecution Service has confirmed the detentions but has provided limited information as the probe continues.
WBC Team and Curaçao Representation
Despite Schoop’s absence, the Dutch Kingdom team boasts a strong lineup of top baseball talent. This includes established Major League players and stars from Curaçao such as Sharlon Schoop — Jonathan’s older brother — who was selected for the team.
The Netherlands squad also features prominent players like Ozzie Albies, Xander Bogaerts, Kenley Jansen and Jurickson Profar, as it prepares to compete in Pool D of the WBC at Miami’s LoanDepot Park from March 6–11, 2026.
Curaçao has long been a key contributor to Dutch baseball, with Schoop among the island’s most recognizable figures in the sport, having previously starred in Major League Baseball and represented the Netherlands on the international stage.
With the tournament approaching, Schoop’s legal case continues to unfold locally, leaving his future in both professional baseball and international competition uncertain.