Curacao, smallest nation ever to reach FIFA World Cup, to train at FAU
· Yahoo Sports
Curacao, the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup, plans to set up its base at Florida Atlantic University this summer.
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Kees Jansma, press officer for the national team, told Deporte Awe that the squad will train at FAU and stay at the Boca Raton Marriott at Boca Center. That report was confirmed by a soccer source to The Palm Beach Post.
With a population of about 156,000, Curacao easily surpasses Iceland (350,000) as the smallest World Cup qualifier. The island nation, about 40 miles from Venezuela, is only about 50 percent larger than Boca Raton.
The team will practice in the Owls' football stadium. Although most of the team activities will be closed, an availability for fans to show support for the players is expected.
Curacao clinched qualification with a 0-0 draw at Jamaica following a 7-0 rout of Bermuda.
Curacao is not scheduled to play in any of the seven matches at Hard Rock Stadium. The team opens Group E play against Germany in Houston on June 14 before facing Ecuador in Kansas City on June 20 and Ivory Coast in Philadelphia on June 25.
Curacao was led through qualifying by Dick Advocaat, but the longtime Dutch coach resigned last month to tend to his daughter’s health issues. Advocaat said helping Curacao advance is one of the highlights of his career.
“His decision can only be respected,” Gilbert Martina, chairman of Curacao’s football association, told ESPN. “Dick made history with the national football team. Curacao will always be grateful to Dick.”
Fred Rutten will succeed Advocaat.
It’s expected that other national teams will soon finalize plans to set up bases in South Florida for the tournament.
Palm Beach Post sports writer Tom D'Angelo contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida Atlantic to host Curacao as it prepares for FIFA World Cup