WILLEMSTAD – The Dutch government is making specific preparations to assist Curaçao supporters traveling to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, recognizing the island’s historic participation in the tournament.
The plans were revealed in responses by Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Tom Berendsen to questions from members of the Dutch Parliament regarding safety and security measures for supporters attending the World Cup.
Notably, Curaçao was explicitly mentioned alongside the Netherlands national team in the government’s preparations. According to the minister, Dutch authorities are working closely with both the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) and the Curaçao Football Federation (FFK) to ensure that the tournament is as safe and positive as possible for supporters.
As part of those efforts, consular support teams will be deployed in cities where both the Netherlands and Curaçao will play during the tournament. Fans will be able to seek assistance from embassy and consular staff in the event of emergencies, incidents, lost travel documents, medical situations, or other unforeseen circumstances.
The Dutch government is also establishing a dedicated World Cup 2026 Taskforce. The taskforce will bring together government agencies, security services, and football authorities to coordinate information sharing and respond quickly to potential crises affecting supporters during the tournament.
The parliamentary questions were prompted in part by concerns raised by Amnesty International regarding possible human rights issues during the World Cup. The organization warned about risks including ethnic profiling, stricter immigration controls, and potential arbitrary arrests in the United States. Questions were also raised about the role of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) in security operations surrounding the tournament.
Despite those concerns, the Dutch government says it remains confident that supporters from both the Netherlands and Curaçao can travel safely to the World Cup.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there is currently “sufficient basis” to expect a safe tournament environment for visiting fans. As a result, the travel advisory for the United States remains at its lowest risk level.
Officials are nevertheless encouraging supporters to prepare carefully before traveling. Fans are being advised to monitor official travel advisories, ensure their travel documents are in order, and register with the Foreign Affairs Information Service before departure.
Those who register will be able to receive security updates, emergency notifications, and practical information directly from Dutch embassies and consulates throughout the tournament.
For Curaçao, the announcement represents another sign of the significance of the island’s first-ever World Cup appearance. With thousands of supporters expected to travel to North America to follow the Blue Wave, Dutch authorities are already putting mechanisms in place to provide assistance and support throughout what is expected to be a historic month for Curaçao football.