While the Curaçao national football team is gearing up for their historic appearance at the World Cup in Ecuador, back in Kansas City, a significant event is unfolding aimed at propelling this small Caribbean island onto the global economic stage. Curaçao, a semi-autonomous entity within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is leveraging its new-found football fame to attract American investors.

With a population of only 158,000, Curaçao is the smallest competitor in this year’s World Cup. Yet, this underdog status is exactly what the island is using to its advantage. “Curaçao is now on an international stage, while we never thought we would be there... we want more people to know about Curaçao and invest,” said Roderick Middelhof, the island’s minister of economic development.

The two-day conference in Kansas City, organized by Curaçao's economic-development ministry in partnership with CINEX, aims to showcase the island’s potential beyond its sandy beaches and azure waters. The event is part of a broader initiative taking place across World Cup cities, focusing on sectors such as energy, logistics, and hospitality.

Middelhof highlighted the participation of major companies like TOTAL and Epson, reflecting the high stakes and the high level of interest Curaçao is beginning to garner. He emphasized, “At the events, we do a presentation about what Curaçao is and what it has to offer... to put Curaçao in the spotlight around the World Cup.”

The strategic use of its deep-water harbor is a central theme for Curaçao’s economic diversification. This facility is poised to transform into a significant storage and logistics hub for international cargo, including oil, which could significantly shift the economic landscape of the island.

Tourism, a longstanding pillar of Curaçao’s economy, is also getting a boost from the World Cup exposure. The government is targeting 1 million stay-over visitors annually, diversifying its tourist base beyond the traditional influx from the Netherlands. According to Middelhof, there’s already a spike in Google searches and social media interest in Curaçao since their World Cup qualification.

As the World Cup progresses, Curaçao is not just competing on the pitch but is also playing a strategic game in the global economic arena, aiming to win over investors and tourists alike. As Middelhof puts it, “Curaçao is, for a little while, on everyone's mind,” and they intend to make the most of this spotlight.