Yesterday, the Curaçao men’s national soccer team hosted a community training session at Florida Atlantic University, its official training site for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The session included a variety of warm-ups, small-sided games, and team-building exercises, all narrated by Curaçao Assistant Coach Giovanni Franken. The audience was invited to participate in small ways, with one exercise having spectators count the number of passes exchanged between players.
Franken said the team has always played together with “a lot of fun and joy,” which was certainly demonstrated during yesterday’s practice. The team lived up to its name of “The Blue Wave” with the unison displayed on the field.
“For the first time I see that our level [of training] is higher, and with the coach I hope we can do some special things,” said Kenji Gorre, a forward for the Curacao team.
This is the first time Curaçao is participating in the World Cup. Not only that, but they are the smallest country by both population (156,000) and land mass (171 square miles) to ever qualify for it. For Sontie Hansen, another forward in the Curacao team, it’s a dream come true.
“Ever since I was young, I dreamt of being on the biggest stages and now that that is a reality … it’s amazing that the impossible can be possible,” said Hansen.
After the training, the crowd of enthusiastic fans got a chance to interact with players, including Hansen, who autographed his young fans’ FIFA World Cup sticker album.
“The amount of love and support that we are getting from the world is incredible,” said Hansen. “I think it’s just amazing we are part of [the World Cup] and we can really show the world the joy of Curaçao.”
After their warm Boca Raton reception, “The Blue Wave” will have their first game this Sunday against Germany.
