Curacao winger Sontje Hansen is preparing to face Germany in what could become one of the biggest World Cup upsets in history. The 24-year-old Middlesbrough player expressed enthusiasm about competing against the experienced German squad, particularly highlighting defender Antonio Rudiger. Despite Curacao’s status as a footballing outsider, Hansen and his teammates remain hopeful of causing a surprise when they meet the four-time world champions in Houston.

Curacao, a Caribbean island situated north of Venezuela with a population of approximately 156,000, is the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup. Under the guidance of veteran Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, the team secured their place by outperforming more established Concacaf teams, including Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica. The squad includes players with backgrounds in the Eredivisie and Premier League, yet they enter the tournament as significant underdogs, ranked 72 places below Germany in the FIFA standings.

Hansen drew inspiration from Saudi Arabia’s unexpected victory over Argentina during the 2022 World Cup, suggesting that determination and a bit of luck could help Curacao defy expectations. “It’s a really big stage and against Germany we’ll give our everything and see what happens,” Hansen said. “I’m just going to enjoy it and hope we do well. The thing is, we are from the Caribbean, and even though I grew up in Holland, the difference is we have nothing. Sometimes you see, like when Saudi Arabia beat Argentina, you just need luck.”

The German team, coached by Julian Nagelsmann, boasts a lineup filled with internationally recognized talent, including Jamal Musiala and Rudiger, the latter of whom Hansen singled out as a player he is particularly eager to challenge. Speaking about Rudiger, Hansen described him as “crazy,” reflecting both admiration and awareness of the level of competition Curacao faces.

Beyond the World Cup, Hansen sees the tournament as an opportunity to revive his club career. He joined Middlesbrough from NEC Nijmegen last summer for approximately £3 million but struggled for consistent game time, featuring for just 510 minutes in his first season in England’s Championship. Since switching international allegiance from the Netherlands last September, Hansen has earned six caps and scored one goal for Curacao. He is optimistic that a strong World Cup performance could help him secure more playing time under Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg.

“I believe I can do that but I need some minutes,” Hansen said. “Pre-season I’ll do my best and show the coach what I can do. Next season I hope for more.”

As Curacao prepares to face a formidable German side, Hansen and his teammates embody both the pride of a small nation taking on a football giant and the desire to use the global stage as a launchpad for their careers.