WILLEMSTAD – A new clothing collection launched by international fashion retailer Zara in collaboration with FIFA has drawn criticism after a shirt representing Curaçao was released with the island’s name spelled incorrectly.
The collection, designed to celebrate football culture and national teams from around the world, includes a range of fan-inspired apparel ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, supporters quickly noticed that the Curaçao-themed shirt features the word “Curaçau” instead of the correct spelling, “Curaçao.”
The error appears on products currently being offered through the collection and has sparked reactions among football fans and social media users, particularly as Curaçao prepares for its historic first appearance at the FIFA World Cup.
The misspelling has raised questions about the quality control and review process behind the international release. While neither FIFA nor Zara has publicly commented on the mistake, critics argue that the incorrect rendering of a country's name is a significant oversight, especially in a collection intended to celebrate national identity and football heritage.
The timing of the error has made it even more noticeable. Interest in Curaçao has grown significantly since the Blue Wave secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup, placing the island in the international spotlight and generating unprecedented global attention for the national team.
The Zara-FIFA collection aims to blend football culture with fashion and lifestyle products, featuring designs inspired by participating nations and their supporters. For many Curaçao fans, however, the focus has shifted from the design itself to the spelling error.
It remains unclear how the mistake occurred, whether it originated during the design process, or if Zara intends to correct the product before the World Cup begins.
The incident comes at a time when national pride is running high across Curaçao as businesses, government agencies, and residents prepare to support the Blue Wave in what is widely regarded as one of the most important moments in the island’s sporting history.
For many supporters, the message is simple: if a global brand wants to celebrate Curaçao, it should at least spell the country's name correctly.