Curaçao chases first World Cup point

After scoring their first World Cup goal, Curaçao now chases their first WC point in Kansas City.

KANSAS CITY, Miss. – The FIFA World Cup 2026 continues as Curaçao faces Ecuador in Group E on Saturday, 8:00 PM ET (7:00 PM local) at Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, USA.

The Blue Wave will take the field for its second World Cup match after making its debut with a 7-1 defeat to Germany at Houston Stadium last Sunday.

Livano Comenencia wrote his name into the history books by becoming the first player to score for Curaçao at a FIFA World Cup. His left-footed strike in the 21st minute leveled the match and delivered a memorable milestone for the smallest nation ever to qualify for the tournament.

Dick Advocaat also made history by becoming the oldest manager to lead a team at a FIFA World Cup at 78 years and 260 days old. The renowned Dutch manager will look to guide Curaçao to another milestone as the Caribbean nation pursues its first World Cup point.

Ecuador will also seek to rebound after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Côte d'Ivoire in its opening Group Stage match.

With the battle for second and third place in Group E beginning to take shape, a victory would provide a valuable three points heading into the final matchday of the Group Stage, as teams seek a place in the Round of 32.

Ecuador vs Curaçao -Facts

• This will be the first ever encounter between Ecuador and Curaçao.

• Curaçao have lost only one of their last three meetings with CONMEBOL teams (W1 D1) – that was a defeat against Argentina in a March 2023 friendly, which included a Lionel Messi hat-trick.

• This is Curaçao’s second ever FIFA World Cup match – only three previous CONCACAF nations have ever recorded a victory in one of their opening two matches in the competition (USA in 1930, Cuba in 1938 & Costa Rica in 1990).

• Livano Comenencia scored Curaçao’s goal in their first FIFA World Cup match against Germany; only two players have scored in both of a CONCACAF nation’s first ever two matches at the finals: Bert Patenaude for USA in 1930 and Héctor Socorro for Cuba in 1938.

• Juninho Bacuna was the leader for Curaçao in line breaking passes in their opening match in the 2026 World Cup against Germany, with nine. Seven of those were under pressure.

• Sontje Hansen was one of the two players with more chances created for Curaçao in their debut in this World Cup against Germany, with two, alongside Livano Comenencia. Hansen achieved this with only 45 minutes on the field and attempting just seven passes.