WILLEMSTAD – Mexican media crews are following preparations on Curaçao for the youth World Cup organized by Fundashon Bicentini as the tournament heads into its knock-out phase.
According to founder and former Curaçao national team coach Remko Bicentini, the international interest is not only focused on his football career, but especially on the social development of the participating children.
The knock-out phase of the tournament begins on Sunday, May 17, at Stadion Antoine Maduro in Saliña, where 32 teams will continue competing in a format modeled after the official 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Bicentini said Mexican television crews recently attended training sessions in Fuik.
“They especially find the combination unique between the documentary about my period as Curaçao national coach and the work being done here with children on Curaçao,” Bicentini explained.
According to him, the Mexican journalists described what they witnessed on the island as “pure development.”
The youth tournament started on April 19 and April 26 with group-stage matches at the SUBT stadium. The top two teams from twelve groups qualified directly for the knock-out rounds, along with the eight best third-place finishers. The final is scheduled for June 7.
The tournament is inspired by the real 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada and includes 48 youth teams representing countries qualified for the official tournament.
According to the organization, the project focuses on much more than football alone.
Themes such as inclusion, self-confidence, participation, and personal development are central to the initiative. Schools and teams also learn about the cultures, languages, and traditions of the countries they represent during the tournament.
“Participating is more important than winning,” Bicentini said, although he acknowledged that the children are doing everything possible to win their matches.
The international attention surrounding the event continues to grow. Earlier, German and French media also followed the preparations and activities surrounding the youth World Cup project on Curaçao.