WILLEMSTAD (DA) — Curaçao’s planning for the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues to evolve, with the March international window still undefined and the June window beginning to take shape, according to a source with knowledge of the federation’s discussions.
March window remains open after FIFA Series invitation declined
The source said Curaçao has not finalized any matches for the March international window. An invitation was extended for the team to take part in the 2026 FIFA Series, but the federation does not intend to accept it.
According to the source, participation would have required Curaçao to play matches in the Australia and Asia region. Some within the federation felt the distance was too far and that the travel would be a burden on the team, given the back-and-forth logistics during a critical stage of World Cup preparation.
June window centers on Scotland as confirmation nears
For the June international window, Curaçao is finalizing a friendly against Scotland, the source said. The match is expected to be played in Scotland, and the source added that a confirmation could come at any moment.
If completed, the Scotland match would give Curaçao the European opponent it has been seeking as part of its World Cup preparation, based on the confederations represented in Group E.
Cape Verde talks point to Rotterdam, a major hub for both communities
In addition to Scotland, Curaçao remains in talks with Cape Verde to play a friendly in Rotterdam during the June window, according to the source. Cape Verde, like Curaçao, will make its World Cup debut in 2026.
Rotterdam has long been a key diaspora center for both countries. Dutch national statistics have reported that Rotterdam is home to the Netherlands’ largest Curaçaoan community, at around 23,000 people of Curaçaoan descent. The Cape Verdean community in the Netherlands is also heavily concentrated in and around Rotterdam, where it is widely regarded as the country’s main population center for Cape Verdean-origin residents.
If completed, a Cape Verde match would also give Curaçao an African opponent as the federation looks to mirror Group E’s mix of confederations. Under that approach, the remaining piece would be a match against a South American national team.