WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao’s historic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup offers the island significant economic and social opportunities, but these benefits will only have a lasting impact if they are actively pursued. That is the conclusion of Profound, a collective of young entrepreneurs, which highlights the growing international attention surrounding Curaçao’s national football team.
According to Profound, Curaçao’s World Cup qualification has firmly placed the island on the global map. In the week the team secured its historic spot, worldwide search queries related to Curaçao surged sharply. Alongside increased sporting interest, international curiosity about the island as a travel destination also rose. Travel data indicate that even before qualifying for the World Cup, Curaçao was already ranked among the fastest-growing destinations for 2025.
The World Cup appearance is expected to generate sustained visibility in key markets across Europe, North America, and South America. However, Profound stresses that international exposure alone is not enough. The organization argues that tangible benefits will only materialize if both government and the private sector seize the moment by investing in economic innovation and shaping a more sustainable tourism model.
Curaçao will compete at the World Cup in a challenging group alongside Germany, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador, and will become the smallest country ever to qualify for the tournament. The national squad is largely composed of players with Curaçaoan roots who are active in European leagues, further strengthening the island’s global profile.
Profound believes the current momentum presents a unique opportunity not only to build on sporting success but also to create a lasting economic and social impulse for Curaçao. The group emphasizes that strategic choices made now could determine whether the World Cup qualification becomes a one-time highlight or the foundation of a long-term legacy.