WILLEMSTAD – The draw for the Fundashon Bicentini Children’s World Cup 2026 on Curaçao has been completed, linking 48 school and neighborhood teams to countries participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The draw took place on January 12 and was broadcast live on local television.
The tournament brings together primary schools, community teams, and special education schools. Each team will represent one of the World Cup nations throughout the competition. For example, Kolegio Sta. Clara has been assigned Algeria, Mgr. Niewindt College will represent the Netherlands, and Frater Evoniusschool will play as Curaçao. Other teams will compete under the flags of countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Germany, and Ghana.
More than football
The Children’s World Cup is organized by Fundashon Bicentini, an initiative led by former national team coach Remko Bicentini. The tournament mirrors the structure of the official World Cup, featuring a group stage followed by knockout rounds and finals.
The sporting program is scheduled to begin on April 12, 2026. Knockout matches will take place in May, with the finals set for June 7. In total, more than 100 matches are planned.
Beyond football, participating teams will also engage in community projects in the lead-up to the tournament. These initiatives focus on themes such as health, inclusion, and social participation. According to the organizers, this broader approach ensures that the Children’s World Cup is about personal and social development as much as it is about sport.
Remko Bicentini indicated that registration is still open, with space available for ten additional teams from primary schools, community initiatives, or after-school programs.