Curaçao arrives at World Cup in style with a school bus, aiming for upsets

Curaçao's national football team has made a memorable entrance at the World Cup, arriving not by grand jet, but in a striking blue school bus. This unconventional arrival mirrors the team's underdog journey to the tournament, a feat few predicted for the Caribbean nation with a population of just 157,100.

The "Blue Wave," as the team is known, defied expectations in the qualifiers. Ranked 82nd by FIFA, they secured their spot by defeating Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Bermuda. Their qualification was sealed with a draw against Jamaica in the final round, sparking delirium among fans on the island.

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When the game starts, anything is possible. It's always 11 against 11, not five against 11.

Adding to their unique story, Curaçao is led by the oldest coach in World Cup history, 78-year-old Dick Advocaat, a former Dutch international. Despite being drawn into a challenging group alongside Germany, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador, the team remains optimistic.

Player Livan Comenencia, who plays in Switzerland for Zürich, expressed confidence, stating, "When the game starts, anything is possible. It's always 11 against 11, not five against 11." He believes four points from a win and a draw could be enough to advance to the next stage, emphasizing their commitment to giving their all. The team will continue their training in Florida before their opening match against Germany in Houston.

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Everything is possible, even against Germany. I think four points will be enough to advance to the next stage of the competition, a win and a draw. We will do everything in our power to make it happen.