WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao’s run in the Fundashon Bicentini World Cup 2026 for children came to an end on Sunday after the island team was eliminated in the quarterfinals by the United States.
The match, played on May 31, saw Curaçao struggle to find the back of the net as the Americans secured a place in the next round. Despite the disappointment for the local team, the tournament continues to capture the imagination of young players and supporters across the island.
Interestingly, the United States’ celebration was short-lived. Later the same day, the American team suffered a heavy 9-2 defeat against a powerful Argentina side, which advanced convincingly to the semifinals.
Tournament Reaches Decisive Stage
The quarterfinal matches were played at the specially constructed World Cup stadium of SUBT on Vesuviusstraat in Saliña. The tournament is designed to combine sports, personal development, and opportunities for children while recreating the excitement of the FIFA World Cup.
According to organizer Remko Bicentini, the competition follows the format of the real 2026 FIFA World Cup, featuring 48 participating teams and a total of 104 matches.
“Each team represents a country that has qualified for the global tournament, with primary schools and neighborhood teams representing the participating nations,” Bicentini explained.
More Than Just Winning
Sunday’s quarterfinal round produced a series of exciting matches and varying results as teams battled for a place in the final stages of the competition.
Bicentini emphasized that the event is about much more than football results.
“This Children’s World Cup is about more than winning. The tournament is designed to bring together children from different neighborhoods and schools and help them grow in confidence and personal development through sports,” he said.
The Fundashon Bicentini initiative has become a popular platform for promoting youth participation, teamwork, and healthy competition while celebrating the spirit of the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
The semifinals and championship match are scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 7, when the remaining teams will compete for the title of Fundashon Bicentini World Cup 2026 champion.