Curaçao fans turned Kansas City International Airport into a dance party Friday as they prepare to cheer on their team against Ecuador at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday. For many, the trip isn’t just about a match—it’s about showing the island nation to the wor
When the first passengers from Curaçao cleared customs at Kansas City International Airport, the welcome didn’t look like a typical arrival—it felt like a celebration that had already been scheduled.
Friday afternoon, fans armed with a portable speaker and a rush of energy turned the baggage-claim area into a dance floor. They hugged, moved to the music, and laughed with strangers who were just as eager to make it to Arrowhead Stadium.
“Being at the World Cup is a symbol of Curaçao actually announcing itself to the world. ” said Gillord Pisas. who came to the airport to welcome the flight. Pisas arrived in Kansas City from Curaçao two days earlier. “We gotta make sure we bring who we are, authentically, everywhere we go. There’s no way you can let people from Curaçao come in and there’s no vibe.”.
This charter flight was one of three arriving in Kansas City this week ahead of Curaçao’s World Cup match versus Ecuador on Saturday.
Curaçao, an island in the Caribbean just north of Venezuela, has a population just over 150,000. It is the smallest country to ever qualify for the World Cup. and it’s the first time the nation has qualified to compete. The team is widely treated as an underdog. Still, Curaçaoans say the moment is bigger than the odds.
On Sunday, Curaçao lost 7-1 against Germany. Even so, fans kept their excitement front and center as they made their way through the airport Friday.
Victor Garcia, another Curaçao fan who had arrived two days earlier alongside the welcoming group, said he came to spread momentum. “I’m here to bring some good energy for everybody here, not only for Curaçao but around the world,” he said.
Garcia led the dance party at the airport, busting moves with nearly everyone who got off the plane. He even joined Ecuador fans waiting for a bus after arriving on a different flight.
“We wish you a great game,” Pisas told the Ecuador fans cheerfully. “But Curaçao is coming for the win!”
The energy carried across generations. Yma Prins arrived in Kansas City Friday and was at Curaçao’s qualifying match in November. She said following the tournament was a natural choice because her father had attended past World Cups.
“It’s a no-brainer to follow in her father’s footsteps and cheer on her team at this tournament,” Prins said.
Prins also described taking the devotion a step further—she even went to Holland for their training camp in Noordwijk because, she said, she’s “such an advocate.”
Prins will attend the match Saturday evening. Before she dons blue to support Curaçao, she plans to cheer for the Netherlands in their match against Sweden. Curaçao, she pointed out, is a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
As fans prepared to board buses heading toward the FIFA Fan Festival and beyond, chants broke out in Papiamentu—one of Curaçao’s national languages. “sigi move Curaçao” filled the air.
“Keep moving, Curaçao.” That’s the kind of line fans say they want to carry all the way to Arrowhead Stadium, where the cheers are expected to be loud when the team plays Saturday evening.
Curaçao will face Ecuador on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Arrowhead Stadium. Game time is 7:00 p.m.
Curaçao Ecuador World Cup Kansas City Arrowhead Stadium soccer fans Gillord Pisas Victor Garcia Yma Prins