Curacao, the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup, has named its 26-man squad for this summer’s tournament.
The Caribbean island has a population of just over 150,000 and a land area of 171 square miles.
Key Players Selected
Middlesbrough winger Sontje Hansen and Sheffield United’s Tahith Chong have been included in the squad.
Shurandy Sambo, who is on loan at Sparta Rotterdam from Burnley, has also been selected.
Advocaat Returns as Head Coach
Dick Advocaat has made a surprise return as Curacao head coach after Fred Rutten resigned just a month before their World Cup debut.
Advocaat stepped down in February but has now returned.
At the age of 78, Dutchman Advocaat is set to become the oldest coach in the tournament’s history, beating Otto Rehhagel’s record when he was in charge of Greece aged 71 in 2010.
Curacao’s World Cup Schedule
Curacao begin their Group E campaign against four-time winners Germany on 14 June.
They then take on Ecuador on 21 June and Ivory Coast four days later.
Curacao’s Full Squad
- Goalkeepers: Tyrick Bodak (SC Telstar), Trevor Doornbusch (VVV-Venlo), Eloy Room (Miami FC).
- Defenders: Riechedly Bazoer (Konyaspor), Joshua Brenet (Kayserispor), Roshon Van Eijma (RKC Waalwijk), Sherel Floranus (PEC Zwolle), Deveron Fonville (NEC Nijmegen), Jurien Gaari (Abha Club), Armando Obispo (PSV Eindhoven), Shurandy Sambo (Sparta Rotterdam).
- Midfielders: Juninho Bacuna (FC Volendam), Leandro Bacuna (Igdır), Livano Comenencia (FC Zurich), Kevin Felida (FC Den Bosch), Ar’Jany Martha (Rotherham United), Tyrese Noslin (SC Telstar), Godfried Roemeratoe (RKC Waalwijk).
- Forwards: Jeremy Antonisse (AE Kifisia), Tahith Chong (Sheffield United), Kenji Gorré (Maccabi Haifa), Sontje Hansen (Middlesbrough), Gervane Kastaneer (Terengganu FC), Brandley Kuwas (FC Volendam), Jurgen Locadia (Miami FC), Jearl Margaritha (SK Beveren).
The expanded 48-team World Cup start on 11 June and is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.