The President of the Parliament of Curaçao, Mr. Fergino Brownbill, is in the United States in connection with the debut of the Curaçao national football team in the 2026 World Cup
our national football team played its final qualification match, where a draw against the Jamaican team on Jamaican soil secured Curaçao’s qualification for a World Cup for the first time in history. With this immense achievement, Curaçao immediately became the nation with the smallest population in the world to participate in a World Cup, and the rest is history. It sparked total euphoria, making our community—both nationally and internationally—immensely proud to be a “Yu di Curaçao” (Child of Curaçao), and we have all seen what the “Blue Wave” (Ola Blou) has done and is doing around the world. In this context, the Parliament of Curaçao, as the highest democratic body in our country based on a constitutional state with a parliamentary democracy, took the preliminary decision (to be ratified later in a parliamentary meeting) that the President of Parliament will represent the Parliament and consequently the people of Curaçao at the first group stage matches of our national football team taking place in the USA.
On Sunday morning, June 14, 2026, ahead of the match between Curaçao and Germany, a ceremony was held where Curaçao officially received recognition, through a Guinness World Records certificate, as the smallest nation in the world to qualify for a World Cup. This ceremony was organized by CINEX together with the Government of Curaçao and took place at Hotel Zaza in Houston. The President of Parliament, Mr. Fergino Brownbill, was present along with other dignitaries and officials, including Her Excellency the Governor of Curaçao, Mr. Mauritsz de Kort, the Prime Minister of Curaçao, Mr. Gilmar Pisas, Harris County Judge of Texas, Mrs. Lina Hidalgo, the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Mr. Sithree van Heydoorn, the Minister of Economic Development, Mr. Roderick Middelhof, the Minister of Traffic, Transportation and Urban Planning, Mr. Charles Cooper, the representative of the Dutch Kingdom, the Consul General of the Dutch Kingdom in Miami, United States, Mrs. Lisette Den Breems, and the President of the Curaçao Football Federation, Mr. Gilbert Martina.
The morning began filled with great emotion, featuring words of welcome, success, and encouragement from Mrs. Lina Hidalgo, followed by speeches from Minister Van Heydoorn and Prime Minister Pisas, who delivered a historic speech. The common thread of the speeches was courage, resilience, and always dreaming big, which reflect the feat Curaçao achieved by reaching its first World Cup after a dream, vision, and years of hard and tireless work. Finally, Guinness World Records representative, Mrs. Hannah Ortman, presented the official certificate to Mr. Gilbert Martina for the smallest nation in the world to qualify for a football World Cup.
At 12:00 PM local time, it was “THE DAY” and “THE MOMENT” when the Curaçao team stepped onto the pitch at NRG Stadium Houston and made history forever. Curaçao was well represented in the stadium, and our people made their voices resonate so the world could see how proud and big-hearted this country is. Finally, the moment arrived when our flag was unfurled across the pitch and our national anthem was played. Everyone present in the stadium and at home experienced very emotional moments of joy for the country we love so much. Our team fought hard against Germany, and despite the defeat, we made history once again with our first World Cup goal, scored by Livano Comenencia, which temporarily tied the match against a ‘four-time world champion’ defending with one of the best current goalkeepers in the world, Manuel Neuer.
The Parliament of Curaçao is immensely proud of our national football team and thanks the entire team for representing the country of Curaçao so grandly. We have been put on the global map in a way that words cannot describe, instantly creating priceless publicity for Curaçao. On behalf of the Parliament, the President of the Parliament of Curaçao, Mr. Fergino Brownbill, wishes the team every success and strength in the upcoming matches. We have truly won!
During this trip, the President of Parliament, Mr. Fergino Brownbill, is accompanied by the Deputy Greffier of Parliament, Mr. Gioke Maduro.
