Defender Juriën Gaari is the only Saudi Pro League player selected for the Curaçao national team for the 2026 World Cup. This is according to an analysis published three months ago by the outlet Spotvnow, which mapped all league players heading to the tournament.
The 47 Saudi Pro League players going to the World Cup are spread across 18 different national teams. The vast majority, 25 players, represent host nation Saudi Arabia. Clubs like Al Hilal (12 players), Al Nassr (9), and Al Ahli (9) provide the largest contingents. Gaari, who plays for Abha, is however Curaçao's sole representative. His club does not play in Saudi Arabia's top flight, similar to Al-Ula, the club of Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais. Including them brings the total to 49 players from 19 nations.
What is Curaçao's World Cup status?
The team managed by coach Dick Advocaat finds itself in a difficult position in the group stage. Our standings page shows Curaçao currently sitting fourth in its group, with just one point from three matches. Recent form is a concern, with two losses and a draw in the last five outings (LDDLW). The last match, on June 25, 2026, ended in a 0-2 defeat to Ivory Coast. Across the tournament, Curaçao has managed to score only one goal while conceding nine, resulting in a negative goal difference of eight.
What does Gaari's selection mean for Curaçao?
Juriën Gaari's presence in the squad highlights the international scope from which Curaçao draws its players. Although he does not play for one of the SPL's top clubs, his selection means a player who competes weekly against high-calibre opposition brings his qualities to the team. For a side struggling to score and defend, the experience and physical play of a central defender like Gaari could be significant. His role becomes even more important considering the statistics available on our stats page.
What are the next steps for the team?
Trailing group leaders Germany by five points, the path to the knockout stage is very steep. Every remaining match is now a final. The team urgently needs to find more potency in attack and improve its defensive organization. The upcoming fixtures, which you can follow on our fixtures page, are decisive for the remainder of the tournament. The focus is now entirely on achieving the best possible final result and building experience at this highest level.
