Curacao's Dr Suzanne Huurman Pioneers at World Cup 2026
June 28, 2026 · Lucía Santos
Dr Suzanne Huurman is the first female head of medical staff for Curacao's national men's football team, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for women in sports medicine.
Dr Suzanne Huurman is making history as the head of medical staff for Curacao's national men's team at the FIFA World Cup 2026. This achievement makes her the third female team doctor in the tournament's 96-year history. Curacao, the smallest team by population and size to ever qualify for the World Cup, enters the tournament unbeaten with seven wins and three draws. Dr Huurman, who has worked with prestigious clubs such as Real Madrid, Go Ahead Eagles, and PSV Eindhoven, represents a significant step forward in gender representation in football.
Despite the challenges of working in a male-dominated field, Dr Huurman remains undeterred. "I didn't realize in the beginning because it's so normal to be the only, or one of the few, women in the room. But I hope to see more women soon because there are a lot more women out there who are capable," she remarked. Her journey exemplifies the hurdles women face in sports medicine, where the demands of the job often conflict with personal life responsibilities.
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FIFA's new regulations for 2026 aim to increase female representation, requiring at least one female medical staff member and one female coach for women's tournaments. This historic move was highlighted in Curacao's match against Germany, where for the first time, an all-female medical team was present at a men's World Cup game. Dr Huurman, alongside other female professionals, hopes this is a step toward breaking gender barriers in sports medicine.
Curacao's World Cup journey began with a milestone as they scored their first-ever World Cup goal against Germany, although the match ended in a 7-1 defeat. Looking forward, Dr Huurman and the team remain optimistic about their upcoming matches against Ecuador and Ivory Coast. "We are optimistic for our next two games," she stated, reflecting the team's focus and determination to make further history on football's biggest stage.
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