Dutch legend Patrick Kluivert is arguably Curaçao’s most-celebrated descendant. The former Netherlands striker’s mother came from the tiny Caribbean island and he coached the national team through Concacaf qualifying for Russia 2018 and had an interim spell in 2021.
Naturally, he is delighted that the Blue Wave have punched their ticket to their inaugural FIFA World Cup™, with Dick Advocaat’s men preparing to take on Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador and Germany of Group E of the global showpiece.
“Everybody knows that the World Cup contains a lot more countries now, so it’s easier to qualify, but I’m very happy that Curaçao is going to the World Cup,” Kluivert told FIFA.
“It’s a pity, of course, that Suriname [where his father is from] didn’t make it against Bolivia [in the Play-Off Tournament], but I think for Curaçao it’s amazing. It’s the smallest country in the world to make its debut at the World Cup, and I wish them all the best because they have a very difficult group.
“But for them to be at the World Cup is already an achievement, which I actually initiated with Curaçao when I was a coach, and I’m very proud of the players.”
Kluivert is still in close contact with some of his former players. “Of course… and they’re very happy and so are the people on the island; very, very happy.”
The 49-year-old, who was part of the Netherlands team which reached the semi-finals at France 1998, has predicted that France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain will do well at the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
“I think that these nations always have an extra point ahead of the newcomers or the smaller countries,” he added. “But you can’t underestimate the new countries because they are playing freely. If they lose, there are no worries, and the pressure is always on the country that is expected to advance to the knockout stages.”
He added that his favourite strikers at the moment are Viktor Gyokeres, Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappe.
Kluivert believes that the USA will have added motivation to do well as co-hosts. “For the people of America, it is fantastic to host such a fantastic competition like the World Cup. We have to watch out because the USA has quite a unique group of young players, and players who can decide a game very quickly,” he said.
Kluivert, who scored 40 goals over 79 appearances for the Netherlands, is planning to see his country on the grandest stage of them all. “The Dutch national team is in [Kansas City], so I probably need to go to [Kansas City], or if they make it to the next round, I’ll need to go to Monterrey. I’ll have a look at where it begins and where it could end for the Dutch national team,” he said.
You can bet that Kluivert will be keeping a close eye on Curaçao as well.
