Bacuna brothers lead Curaçao at historic World Cup debut

Curaçao will open its World Cup campaign tomorrow at 19:00 against Germany in Houston. The Caribbean nation becomes the smallest ever to appear at a World Cup. Captain Leandro Bacuna and his brother Juninho Bacuna will start in midfield. The Bacuna brothers come from a family of three footballing siblings who grew up in Groningen. Johnsen Bacuna, the eldest, recalls that they always played together on the local pitch despite a few years' age gap. Leandro Bacuna, a veteran of the English Premier League, captains the Curaçao side and partners his younger brother Juninho in midfield. Johnsen Bacuna previously represented the national team when it was known as the Netherlands Antilles. The family has gathered in Houston this weekend, with fourteen relatives sharing a single accommodation. Johnsen Bacuna says it is a “no‑go” to leave anyone behind, emphasizing the collective spirit. Coach Dick Advocaat arranged for players, their wives and children to stay together, a unique approach driven by the federation’s limited budget. Leandro Bacuna stresses that having his family nearby is essential, noting he asked the federation to ensure they could all be present after qualification. The brothers hope the close‑knit bond will serve as Curaçao’s secret weapon against the four‑time champions.