Sheffield United ace Tahith Chong details how World Cup debut will be embraced in Curaçao
Sheffield United winger Tahith Chong will be hoping to start Curaçao’s World Cup opener against Germany on Sunday.
Sheffield United winger Tahith Chong has admitted that he does not believe the island of Curaçao has slept since they secured their place at this summer’s World Cup.
With a population of just 156,000 and a land mass smaller than the Isle of Man, Curacao became the smallest nation in history to reach the tournament when they secured their spot in the United States, Canada and Mexico last November.
Having successfully navigated their way through the qualifiers, Curuçao will make their World Cup debut when they face Germany in Houston, Texas, on Sunday. The contest will kick off at 6pm BST.
Competing in Group E alongside Germany, Ecuador and the Ivory Coast, Curaçao are the rank outsiders to progress to the knockout phase. However, just appearing at a World Cup for the very first time will be an achievement in itself.
Led by experienced boss Dick Advocaat, who will be the oldest manager to have ever been in charge of a nation at the World Cup at the age of 78, Curaçao will be determined to make their mark.
Traditionally, according to Chong, who could leave Bramall Lane this summer after an underwhelming debut season with the Blades, people on the island of Curaçao have supported either Brazil or Argentina during the World Cup. That, though, is set to be very different this time around.
“I don't think the island has slept yet,” Chong told FIFA’s website. “I think it’s been five months now [since qualifying]. With the World Cup, the people enjoy it and the atmosphere is crazy down there.
“Normally, you’ve got people that are Brazil fans, Argentina fans, but obviously this year, with us playing as well, it's going to be different. Everybody is going to be for Curaçao, so it's going to be super cool to see.”
For both Chong and his teammates, this summer’s tournament will make countless dreams come true. It was the 2006 World Cup that marked the first time Chong, born in 1999, can remember watching football.
He continued: “The first time I watched football was the 2006 World Cup. My dad played a bit in Curaçao and then he lived a few years in Holland.
“When he was playing in Curaçao, he always used to tell me: ‘Come and watch the games. Come along.’ I was like: ‘I don't really like that sport. I think it's a stupid sport.’
“Then came the 2006 World Cup and I watched it. It was the final with Italy against France with (Zinedine) Zidane doing the head-butt. I was for France in the final – I don't know why – and I cried.
“After that game I [said] to my dad: ‘I want to go (and) play football’. To think now 20 years later that I'm potentially on the brink to go and play for Curaçao where it all started at a World Cup is obviously amazing.”