Curaçao opens Sunday against Germany as Fonville explains his choice

Your World Cup starts Sunday

Mark the date. Curaçao opens its first-ever World Cup campaign against Germany on Sunday, June 14. After that it's Ivory Coast and Ecuador to round out the group.

The smallest nation ever to qualify for a men's World Cup – population roughly 160,000 – goes in with nothing to lose and everything to gain. Dick Advocaat's side arrives in the United States off a 4–0 send-off win over Aruba, riding a wave the local press called a permanent explosion of joy.

Nobody expects much. That suits this group just fine. (1)

Fonville: "Maybe that chance never comes again"

Deveron Fonville had a decision to make: wait for a Netherlands call-up that might never arrive, or commit to Curaçao and play at a World Cup.

He chose Curaçao.

The NEC defender put it plainly: "Maybe that chance never comes again." No hesitation, no hedging. Advocaat has a player fully bought in – the kind of commitment that defines this squad.

Fonville's path mirrors the team's story. Overlooked by bigger nations, but seizing the moment when it arrived. (2)