MANAGUA – Curaçao’s historic performance in the World Cup qualification campaign received prominent recognition during the 41st CONCACAF Congress held in Managua. CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani publicly praised the sporting and organizational development of Curaçaoan football in recent years, highlighting the island’s steady progress on and off the field.
The Federashon Futbòl Kòrsou (FFK) was represented at the congress by its president Gilbert Martina and secretary-general Jan Peter Dogge. In addition to discussions on CONCACAF’s 2026 budget, the congress focused extensively on the development of its member associations. Curaçao drew particular attention, both within official sessions and among international media, who showed growing interest in the island’s football development and the performance and composition of its national team.
According to those present, Curaçao’s recent results in World Cup qualification were frequently cited as evidence of the federation’s long-term investment in structure, talent development, and professional standards. The recognition was seen as a milestone for Curaçaoan football, which has worked in recent years to strengthen its position within the regional and international football landscape.
On the sidelines of the congress, the FFK also held talks with Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Secretary-General Camara David regarding the further implementation of the club licensing system. This system is designed to professionalize Curaçaoan football clubs across multiple areas, including financial management, governance, organization, sporting performance, infrastructure, and legal compliance. The ultimate goal is to ensure sustainable development at both local and regional levels.
The congress program also included the traditional Presidents Cup, a friendly match involving presidents of national football associations. FFK President Gilbert Martina reached the final as part of a team that also featured FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The team narrowly lost the final by a 1–0 margin.
The strong presence and recognition of Curaçao at the CONCACAF Congress underline the island’s growing stature within regional football and reflect the broader progress made by its football federation in recent years.