THE HAGUE – King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima will attend Curaçao’s World Cup match against Ecuador national football team on June 21 in Kansas City, where they are expected to support the Curaçao national team from the stands.
The royal couple will also attend the match between Netherlands national football team and Sweden national football team in Houston one day earlier.
Speaking after the annual royal summer photo session, King Willem-Alexander described the tournament as especially meaningful because both the Netherlands and Curaçao qualified for the FIFA World Cup.
“It is an extra special World Cup because we have both the Netherlands and Curaçao. So we have two teams to cheer for. A wonderful opportunity to support both the Blues and the Orange team. Of course, I hope they both go extremely far,” the king said.
The monarch also expressed hope that Curaçao would make a strong impression during its historic World Cup debut on June 14 against Germany national football team.
He stated that he hopes the Curaçao team will “set the tone” by defeating Germany in its opening match.
Curaçao’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup marks the first time in history that the island’s national football team has reached the tournament, triggering widespread celebrations across the Dutch Caribbean and among Curaçao communities abroad.