WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao’s national football team departed for the United States on Monday, marking the beginning of the final stage of preparations for the country's historic debut at the FIFA World Cup.
The Blue Wave left the island through Jet Center Curaçao as players, coaches, and staff embarked on what is already the most significant chapter in Curaçao football history.
According to the Federashon di Futbol Kòrsou (FFK), special arrangements were made for the team's departure to ensure a smooth and efficient travel process. As a result, the national squad did not use the commercial departure terminal at Curaçao International Airport, and public access to the departure facilities was not permitted.
The departure comes just days after Curaçao boosted confidence with an impressive 4-0 victory over Aruba in its final friendly match before the tournament. The win provided a fitting farewell for thousands of supporters who packed the stadium to show their support ahead of the team's journey to the United States.
The FFK expressed its gratitude to the people of Curaçao for the overwhelming support shown to the national team throughout its remarkable World Cup campaign.
According to the football federation, the special travel arrangements will allow the players and technical staff to remain fully focused on the responsibilities and preparations that await them during the tournament.
Curaçao will open its World Cup campaign on June 14 with a challenging match against Germany in Houston. The Blue Wave will then face Ecuador and Ivory Coast in the remaining group-stage matches.
The team's qualification for the World Cup has united the island and sparked unprecedented excitement among football fans. Streets, businesses, schools, and homes have been decorated in Curaçao's colors as the country rallies behind the squad preparing to represent the nation on football's biggest stage.
With the team now en route to its training base in the United States, the dream that once seemed impossible is becoming reality. The next time the Blue Wave takes the field, it will be in Curaçao's first-ever World Cup match.
An entire nation will be watching.