Curaçao earns first World Cup point with goalless draw, boasts tournament’s cheapest goalkeeper

Curaçao drew 0‑0 with Ecuador in its second Group E match of the 2026 World Cup, securing the Caribbean nation’s first ever point at a finals tournament. The result came after a 7‑1 defeat to Germany, transforming the team’s morale and keeping its hopes alive in a group where Germany and Ivory Coast have already won.

Ecuador, which had failed to score against Côte d’Ivoire, left the match frustrated, still on one point with a negative goal difference and needing a win over Germany to stay in contention. The draw leaves both teams with a single point, but Curaçao’s performance, highlighted by goalkeeper Eloy Room’s saves, was celebrated as a historic achievement for the smallest World Cup participant.

Off the field, Curaçao’s 24‑year‑old keeper Tyrick Bodak was reported by Transfermarkt as the tournament’s lowest‑valued player at just €25 000. He sits behind starter Eloy Room and underscores the team’s modest financial profile – the entire squad is valued at just over €25 million, making it one of the cheapest line‑ups. Most of the 26‑man roster was born in the Netherlands, reflecting the island’s unique player pool. The combination of a historic point and the record‑low market‑value goalkeeper highlights Curaçao’s remarkable debut on football’s biggest stage.