Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Big Crowd Watches Curaçao's World Cup Practice
6/12/2026 10:48:00 AM | General
BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Florida Atlantic opened its doors on Thursday night for a Community Training Session with the Curaçao Men's National Team as the Blue Wave continues its preparations for FIFA World Cup 2026™.
More than 5,000 fans, mostly clad in Curaçao's blue and gold colors, streamed through the gates at the stadium to witness history as the Blue Wave gets sets to make its first World Cup appearance in the history of the small island nation located in the southern Caribbean Sea.
"This is just an awesome event for Florida Atlantic and the local community," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Brian White. "We're so grateful that Curaçao chose us as their home base during the World Cup and I know our staff, in partnership with the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, has rolled out the red carpet to provide them the very best experience. I loved the turnout last night -- the energy was incredible -- and we're all Curaçao fans now!"
With excitement building nationwide for the first World Cup hosted by the United States since 1994, free tickets for the Curaçao Community Training Session were claimed in less than three days. The event was the only public practice that Curaçao will hold during its time at FAU.
"I think just to see the Curaçao flag out there, just to see the people wearing the jersey, and to see how many people are supporting us is just amazing, said Curaçao midfielder Tahith Chong. "Back home they would be proud about this crowd as well."
Thursday night's festivities included player introductions, autographs, an hour-long public practice that was narrated by assistant coach Giovanni Franken to provide the crowd insight into the training and drills, and was capped with a youth clinic on the field involving Curaçao players and local Boca Raton youth soccer players.
The Dutch Caribbean island nation of Curaçao is making its FIFA World Cup debut in 2026. It is the smallest nation by both population and land size to qualify for a World Cup. With FAU serving as its base camp – one of just 11 Division I universities nationwide with that distinction – Curaçao will train daily at the stadium through the entirety of the World Cup.
#WIP
More than 5,000 fans, mostly clad in Curaçao's blue and gold colors, streamed through the gates at the stadium to witness history as the Blue Wave gets sets to make its first World Cup appearance in the history of the small island nation located in the southern Caribbean Sea.
"This is just an awesome event for Florida Atlantic and the local community," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Brian White. "We're so grateful that Curaçao chose us as their home base during the World Cup and I know our staff, in partnership with the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, has rolled out the red carpet to provide them the very best experience. I loved the turnout last night -- the energy was incredible -- and we're all Curaçao fans now!"
With excitement building nationwide for the first World Cup hosted by the United States since 1994, free tickets for the Curaçao Community Training Session were claimed in less than three days. The event was the only public practice that Curaçao will hold during its time at FAU.
"I think just to see the Curaçao flag out there, just to see the people wearing the jersey, and to see how many people are supporting us is just amazing, said Curaçao midfielder Tahith Chong. "Back home they would be proud about this crowd as well."
Thursday night's festivities included player introductions, autographs, an hour-long public practice that was narrated by assistant coach Giovanni Franken to provide the crowd insight into the training and drills, and was capped with a youth clinic on the field involving Curaçao players and local Boca Raton youth soccer players.
The Dutch Caribbean island nation of Curaçao is making its FIFA World Cup debut in 2026. It is the smallest nation by both population and land size to qualify for a World Cup. With FAU serving as its base camp – one of just 11 Division I universities nationwide with that distinction – Curaçao will train daily at the stadium through the entirety of the World Cup.
Recapping a great night in Paradise 🤩
— Winning In Paradise #WIP🏝️ (@FAUAthletics) June 12, 2026
🔗 https://t.co/Ukqnq60tYE#WIP🏝️ pic.twitter.com/ywo67wFYZ9
#WIP
Wednesday, May 13
Tuesday, May 12
Tuesday, May 05
Thursday, April 30