There has been lively debate over the format of the 2026 World Cup, with the number of teams set to increase by 50% from 32 to 48, with many countries set to take part in the tournament for the first time. However, there is no shortage of stories from the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
It started with Cape Verde’s impressive 0-0 draw with Spain in their opening game, taking a point from being favorites to win the tournament, while Qatar snatched their first World Cup point in stoppage time against Switzerland. On Saturday night, Curacao held Ecuador to a 0-0 draw with one outstanding hero, securing their first-ever result.
Eloy Room sets World Cup save record
After 40-year-old Cape Verdean goalkeeper Vosinha stole the show against Spain, it was 37-year-old Eloy Room who stole the show against Ecuador. The veteran shot-stopper totaled 15 saves for Kansas City, setting a World Cup record for most in a 90-minute game since record-keeping began in 1966, according to Opta.
As explained by Marca, the only previous example of an even higher number of saves was Tim Howard’s 16 goals for the United States against Belgium in 2014. However, that game included overtime, and the United States lost 2-1 in the round of 16 and was eliminated.
Curacao’s first World Cup
It will be Curaçao’s first World Cup under former Rangers and Netherlands coach Dick Advocaat, who qualified from the Concacaf region. They finished first in the group with Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Bermuda. Curaçao is an island belonging to the Netherlands, located on the Caribbean coast, just north of Latin America. Although it has a population of just 98,000, it has a large Dutch diaspora, from which many of its players originate.
Room himself is eligible to play for Curaçao because of his father, who spent much of his career in the Netherlands and grew up there. Room currently plays for Miami FC, but has also previously played for PSV Eindhoven and Vitesse Arnhem.
