Curacao: a tiny Caribbean island is a darling of the World Cup
By Eileen Ogintz
Tribune Content Agency
Taking the Kids
What could the tiny Caribbean Island of Curacao and New York City possibly have in common? Their deliriously happy sports fans.
New York Knicks fans, of course, are celebrating their first NBA championship in more than 50 years. Curacao fans are celebrating their World Cup team. Curacao is the smallest country (just 160,000 residents) to ever have a team qualify for the World Cup, the New York Times reported.
“It’s not about winning,” one of the thousands of fans who had traveled to the U.S. to see their team compete explained. “Just by being here we’ve done it.”
There’s also the opportunity to showcase the former Dutch colony to an international audience. Curacao, just 40 miles from Venezuela, is one of the ABC islands – that also include Aruba and Bonaire. Aruba has long been popular with American tourists for its party scene; Bonaire for its world- class diving and other water sports, as it is ringed by the National Marine Park with 85 dive sites, some right offshore.
Curacao, the largest of the three islands and, between Aruba and Bonaire, has always attracted far more Dutch families than Americans thanks to daily flights from Amsterdam, offers quiet beaches and a capital city, Willemstad, which was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997, recognized for its historic brightly colored Dutch colonial architecture and harbor. English is spoken everywhere, though you may pick up a few words of Papiamentu, the local language. Pose for a selfie at the giant red Dushi sign in Willemstad. (Dushi means sweet.)
Traders from the Netherlands first arrived in 1634. T he social and cultural differences from Afro-American, Iberian and Caribbean inhabitants have contributed to enriching the building traditions, as well as the city’s cultural life, according to UNESCO. The Mikeve Israel-Emanuel synagogue was dedicated in 1732 and is recognized as the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Americas. Kids will love racing across the floating Queen Emma pedestrian floating bridge that opens up to 30 times a day to allow ships to enter and leave the bay. It is a great spot to see the colorful waterfront colonial buildings.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup games will be played in Mexico, Canada and the U.S. with the U.S. hosting the most games in 11 different cities, all hoping the attention will draw more tourists to their other attractions – museums, local food, American history, culture and more. If you can’t afford or get tickets, there are big FIFA fan festivals planned in cities across the country where matches will take place, including Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Seattle and Kansas City.
At a recent sports tourism panel held in Kansas City, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman outlined the significant economic impact anticipated from World Cup visitors, projecting an average spend of $5,000 per person, and said this is a chance to reverse declining international travel. “They’re seeing what America is all about,” said Freeman, “and they’re beaming back home images of their experiences, images of the American people that often defy the images that they’re seeing on local media.”
Las Vegas, meanwhile, promises to become the World’s Watch Party location with viewing events of all 104 matches at bars, restaurants and hotels.
Families will feel like they have traveled to South America as they explore Argentina’s Niños, a returning exhibit at The Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum. Featuring five interactive environments, Argentina’s Niños introduces children to Argentine culture, language and traditions through hands-on play as Argentina plays in the World Cup games. Children can step into the excitement of the game by dressing in an Argentine national team kit, taking a penalty shot and posing with a life-size cutout of legendary player Lionel Messi.
In New York, the American Museum of Natural History has just opened a new exhibit, For the Win: Objects of Sports Excellence, a special exhibition of championship rings, trophies, medals and jewelry from legendary athletes and teams in the Melissa and Keith Meister Gallery, within the Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals. The exhibit kicks off World Cup, World Cultures: Celebrating the Community and Science of Sport, a series of programming at the Museum for New Yorkers and visiting fans from around the world.
NYC Tourism + Conventions has launched the Five Borough Winners Special, New York City’s official dining program for the World Cup. Running June 11 through July 19, the program features nearly 900 restaurants, bars and food establishments across all five boroughs offering $26 specials, limited-edition, collectible borough cups or both.
Also in New York, The FIFA Museum presented by Hyundai at Rockefeller Center features historical artifacts (including the Jules Rimet Trophy), a cinematic installation and jerseys from all 48 participating nations.
In Arlington, Texas, The Arlington Museum of Art is hosting Soccer: The Passion for the World Cup, tracing the evolution of the sport while in Kansas City, Missouri, The National WWI Museum and Memorial is running The Beautiful Game, an exhibit exploring the historical connections between football and World War I.
Vancouver, BC Science World is showcasing Soccer & Technology from the FIFA Museum.
In Boston, A 45-foot soccer ball, aiming to win a Guinness World Record on display at Piers Park II in East Boston. An interactive FIFA Fan Festival runs until June 27.
The World Cup has generated a nearly 70 percent year-over-year rise in international travel to the 16 North American host cities, according to Trip.com, a much-needed boost as tourism to the U.S. has declined as a result of travelers being concerned about getting caught up in immigration sweeps.
Camping and RV rental platforms, including Campspot and KOA hope that those seeking affordable lodging will gravitate toward campgrounds where they can stay in RVs or cabins.
In Mexico, Palladium Hotel Group is leveraging the tournament to showcase its resorts in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Brazil, guests will enjoy live broadcasts of every match, themed viewing venues, football-inspired activations and exclusive events throughout the tournament.
It would be terrific, I think, for more Americans to discover the unique charms of Curacao long after the World Cup is over. Visitors are encouraged to “Join the Blue Wave” and support the Curacao Men’s National Team. “We are the underdog you want to cheer on,” Curacao’s official tourism website proclaims. “Wherever you are in the world, stand behind us as your second team, or even your first, and maybe, just maybe, we can make more miracles happen together.”
(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow TakingTheKids on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments. The fourth edition of The Kid’s Guide to New York City and the third edition of The Kid’s Guide to Washington D.C. are the latest in a series of 14 books for kid travelers published by Eileen.)
©2026 Eileen Ogintz. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.