Curaçao's World Cup debut against Germany: everything you need to know

The day has arrived

Sunday 14 June, 19:00 local time in Winston-Salem. Curaçao walk onto a World Cup pitch for the first time in the nation's history. Germany await, and the whole world will be watching. You're here. Against all odds, a country of 160,000 people made it. Dick Advocaat's squad goes into this with nothing to lose and everything to celebrate. (1) (2) (9)

Brothers ready to lead

Leandro Bacuna (34) and Juninho Bacuna form the heartbeat of this Curaçao side, and their story runs deep. "I grew up in Holland. I was born in Holland. But my father, the first thing he told me was: 'You are not from Holland. You are purely Curaçao,'" Leandro told Sky Sports. Both brothers are expected to start against Germany. (2) (4)

Neuer returns in Germany's goal

Manuel Neuer is back. The 2014 World Cup winner returns from a calf injury to earn his 125th cap, and Germany's expected XI is stacked: Kimmich, Sané, Musiala, Wirtz, Havertz. This is the mountain Curaçao must climb. Advocaat's expected lineup features Room in goal, Floranus and Obispo at the back, the Bacuna brothers in midfield, and Locadia up top. (4) (5) (6)

Captain Blueface and the party spirit

Win, lose, or draw, Curaçao fans are bringing something no other nation has. Brenton "Captain Blueface" Balentien has become the face of the travelling support. "We can win, lose or draw. But believe me: We don't give a shit. We're just going to party after every match." That energy has made Curaçao the neutral's favorite before a ball has even been kicked. (7)

Brazil is already on your side

Curaçao's behind-the-scenes content from the World Cup camp has gone viral among Brazilian fans. Messages like "Já tem minha torcida!" ("You already have my support!") and "Ganharam meu coração" ("You won my heart") are flooding the team's Instagram. The underdog charm is real, and it's crossing continents. (11)

Kit drama before kickoff

There's a wrinkle. Curaçao are reportedly involved in a kit dispute ahead of the Germany match, with the team already looking beyond Sunday to sort it out. Details remain thin, but it's an unwanted distraction on the eve of the biggest match in the country's history. (8)

Comenencia eyes the big stage

Defender Livano Comenencia sees this World Cup as his launchpad. "I think I can reach the highest level," he said, and Sunday against Germany is the kind of audition that can change a career. With the world watching, Curaçao's players know what's at stake individually as well as collectively. (10)