In the summer of 2026 is the FIFA World Cup soccer. From the first match on June 11 to the final on July 19, it will be one big soccer party for over 5 weeks. And Curacao and the Netherlands are there as one of the 48 participating countries. Viva Hollandia, but also Go Blue Wave.
Check out the handy overview of the matches on this page!
Useful overview Curacao and the Netherlands
Below is a handy overview of the group games of Curacao and the Netherlands, including the local time (in the stadium) that the game starts, but also the time on Curacao and the time in the Netherlands. So wherever you are, you know what time the spectacle begins!
Curacao and the Netherlands: group matches on the same day
The group games of Curacao and the Netherlands are on the same day and one after the other. On Sunday, June 14, Saturday, June 20 and Thursday, June 25, both Curacao and the Netherlands will play their group matches. Please note that the Netherlands’ match on June 25 is Dutch time June 26, at 01:00 early in the morning.
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World Cup 2026: Curacao
The World Cup will be experienced in a big way in Curacao. As the smallest participating country ever (with less than 160,000 inhabitants), this is a wonderful experience of which the whole island is proud. And we agree! But despite that pride, people are also realistic and no one expects Curacao to become world champion. And that’s the beauty of Curacao’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup: just participating is reason for the island to celebrate without any expectations.
Curacao’s group: Group E
Curacao ended up in a tough, but with that also beautiful, pool for FIFA Worldcup 2026. Group E, containing:
Germany (10th on FIFA ranking)
Curacao (82nd)
Ivory Coast (34th)
Ecuador (23rd)
Based on the FIFA ranking, Curacao is clearly the lesser team in this group, but who knows what they can achieve based on commitment and enthusiasm!
It starts right away nicely for Curacao, on Sunday, June 14, the tournament starts for The Blue Wave with a game against Germany. Six days later, on Saturday, June 20, is the match against Ecuador (Note: this match is in the Netherlands on the early morning of June 21). The group concludes for Curacao on Thursday, June 25, with a match against Ivory Coast.
World Cup 2026: The Netherlands
The Netherlands qualified for the World Cup relatively easily. Therefore, the expectation/hope is that “we” can get far in the tournament. Of course there are always many factors that determine success, but if the Netherlands does not get through the group stage it will be experienced as a big disappointment.
Holland’s group: Group F
The Netherlands is in a nice pool, a group in which the Netherlands should normally qualify for the next stage of the tournament. Group F, which includes:
Netherlands (7th on FIFA rankings)
Japan (18th)
Sweden (38th)
Tunisia (40th)
Based on the FIFA rankings, it should be a breeze for the Netherlands to win against all three of these countries, but in practice, that can still be tricky.
The Netherlands’ first match is on Sunday, June 14, against Japan. Six days later, on Saturday, June 20 is the match against Sweden. The final group match for the Netherlands is on Thursday, June 25, against Tunisia (Note: this match is in the Netherlands on the early morning of June 26).
Watching World Cup Soccer on Curacao
Are you on Curacao during the World Cup and want to watch the games of Curacao and/or the Netherlands together with many other supporters? Of course you can.
These are the locations where you can go for the big screens:
- Waaigat Fan Dome: especially for Curacaoans who want to support their Blue Wave.
- Mambo Beach: At Madero/Wet & Wild there will be a big screen. Here you will find mostly Dutch people, on vacation or living on Curacao.
If you go to Curacao with TUI, you can sign up for free for the TUI Arena at Cabana. - Jan Thiel Beach: At Jan Thiel beach, you can watch soccer on one of the many TVs they have hanging there.
- At Landhuis Chobolobo (the Blue Curaçao distillery), you can attend the Stadium Watch Party where all the games of the Netherlands and Curaçao can be watched for free. VIP tables available at additional cost.
- At Renaissance Mall (next to the famous Riffort) the Wind Creek Arena is being built. Here you can watch all the games of Curaçao and the Netherlands as if you were really in a stadium. Paid admission, tickets from US$ 14 (about EUR 12)
- Want to watch really big screen? You can do so at The Movies cinema , Punda. Further info still unknown.
- On the west side of town in Jan Doret is a cozy Blue Wave plaza set up with a big screen.
Curacao’s chances against the Netherlands?
Unfortunately, the chances are pretty slim that Curacao and the Netherlands will have to play each other at the 2026 World Cup. Looking at the playing schedule, the earliest that Curacao and the Netherlands could face each other is in the quarterfinals. It would be nice if this happened, but realistically, it will already be tough for the Netherlands to get this far in the tournament, and that is certainly true for Curacao. And if both countries make it to the quarterfinals, even then the chances of them facing each other are slim.
You can also visit many (sports) bars where on TVs the games of Curaçao and the Netherlands will be shown. In most hotels, soccer will not be shown in a central location (e.g. the hotel bar).
Where are you going to look? Let us know at the bottom of the comments!
Uninterrupted viewing? Arrange VPN!
Want to watch the soccer games undisturbed without noise and hassle from others around you? Of course you can. Already for EUR 9.95 you have a month long VPN connection that allows you to watch the Dutch TV broadcasts of the World Cup Soccer from your laptop or phone in Curacao.
World Cup Events in Curacao
On Curaçao all kinds of fun events are organized around the World Cup. Not only during the games, but also in the run-up to the World Cup there is much to experience that‘smells like soccer‘. For a complete overview of what Curacao has to offer in terms of soccer festivities between May 17 and June 25: look here.
World Cup songs
Just like in the Netherlands, musicians on Curaçao are anticipating the country’s participation in the World Cup and are releasing mood-enhancing songs. Do you want to get into the World Cup mood? With these videos you will certainly succeed!
