Curaçao’s historic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has placed the small Caribbean island firmly on the global football map.
In November 2025, the Dutch Caribbean territory became the smallest nation ever to qualify for a FIFA World Cup after a tense 0–0 draw against Jamaica secured its place at the tournament. With a population just over 150,000, Curaçao surpassed Iceland’s 2018 record as the smallest country to reach football’s biggest stage.
The milestone comes as the island is also investing in the next generation of players through a sustainability-focused youth football initiative that is transforming ocean waste into sporting equipment for schools.
The programme, Future Goals, is a partnership between the Sandals Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts, Dutch football club AFC Ajax and Limpi Recycling. Recently extended through 2028, the initiative converts plastic waste and discarded fishing nets recovered from the ocean into football goalposts and other equipment for primary schools across Curaçao.
The recycled equipment is paired with an eight-week curriculum combining classroom learning and on-field training, designed to promote both football development and environmental awareness among students.
Since its launch in 2022, the programme has removed more than 3,800 pounds of plastic waste and thousands of square feet of abandoned fishing nets from surrounding waters. The material has been transformed into more than 70 goalposts distributed to schools across the island.
Participation has reached roughly 80 percent of primary schools in Curaçao, with more than 2,400 children involved.
Patrice Gilpin of the Sandals Foundation said the initiative reflects a shared commitment between partners to invest in communities while promoting sport and environmental responsibility. She noted that local young people are being trained to serve as environmental ambassadors, helping to pass on sustainable practices to future generations.
“It’s just a phenomenal experience to see what can be made of potential trash that brings so much joy to children,” Gilpin said, adding that the programme is helping to get more children active while changing attitudes toward waste and conservation.
AFC Ajax sports education specialist Roy Lagendijk said Curaçao has significant football talent but historically lacked sufficient coaching resources, equipment and facilities to help young players fully develop.
“In Curaçao there is a lot of talent, but when there are no coaches, materials and facilities to support sports, those children don’t get the chance to discover their talents,” he said.
For Limpi Recycling, the environmental dimension is central to the initiative. Debrah Nijdam said plastic pollution and discarded fishing nets have a particularly strong impact on island nations, making recycling and reuse critical.
“All the plastic waste that was collected by the kids, we will transform it and recycle it into new sporting equipment,” she said.
To date, organisers say more than 1.4 million plastic bottles and over 3,000 square feet of fishing nets have been repurposed into durable football equipment for schools across Curaçao.
As the island prepares for its World Cup debut, the initiative is expected to expand, with partners aiming to reach even more students through a programme that combines sport, sustainability and community development.
