Curaçao boss Gilbert Martina resigns after cancer diagnosis

Gilbert Martina, the president of Curaçao football, has stepped down immediately after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. The Curaçao Football Federation announced this in an official statement. The cancer was discovered during a routine medical examination and is still in its early stages. Martina will now focus entirely on his health and recovery.

What happened?

During a routine medical examination, Gilbert Martina was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Although the cancer is still in its early stages, Martina has decided to step down as president of Curaçao football to focus on his health. He will undergo surgery, as recommended by his medical team.

Why is this important for Curaçao?

Martina's decision comes at a crucial time for Curaçao football. The team recently made their debut at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they lost to Germany (1-7), drew with Ecuador (0-0), and lost to Ivory Coast (0-2). His leadership was essential in preparing for this tournament, and his absence will certainly be felt.

What comes next?

The Curaçao Football Federation has not yet announced who will succeed Gilbert Martina. The team will now need to focus on their future matches and the search for a new leader. Martina stated in a declaration to ESPN that it was a great honor to contribute to the journey that brought Curaçao to the World Cup.

The team recently suffered a 0-2 defeat to Ivory Coast on June 25, 2026. Their recent form is 1W-2D-2L (LDDLW, most recent first).