As part of our Language of Soccer World Cup series, The Athletic is speaking to supporters of all 48 nations competing at the 2026 edition to capture their unique football culture, distilled into a single phrase. You can read the articles in one place here.Nos ta e Ola Blou – We are The Blue Wave“Here in Curacao, when we go to the stadium, it’s a big party, so we sing, we play instruments, we all dress in blue. We’re going to try to bring that vibe to the United States.”Roald Balentien is explaining to The Athletic what people can expect from The Blue Wave in their first appearance at a World Cup.Roald Balentien and his fellow Curacao fans bring the noise to their team’s games (Roald Balentien)Curacao, an island in the Caribbean Sea that is home to around 155,000 people, qualified for their first World Cup in November. They booked their spot at the tournament following a gutsy 0-0 draw in Jamaica in their final match, sparking wild celebrations back home.That meant Curacao became the smallest nation to reach the World Cup.Curacao supporters estimate that between 3,000 and 5,000 people from the island will travel to the United States to cheer on their team this summer, where they are thrown straight in at the deep end, facing the daunting prospect of Germany in their opening game in Houston.The rest will be glued to screens at special watch parties being held across the island.“The island will shut down when the games are on,” supporter Brenton Balentien tells The Athletic.Wherever they are, Curacao’s convivial supporters are sure to bring the party.“We are people who love to come together, to celebrate,” says Ryan Angel. “We love music, noise, passion. We enjoy good food, drinks and being together. That is what makes our way of supporting unique.“The road to the World Cup has also brought us closer together, it has made us stronger as a community. Everyone was behind the same goal, which creates a strong sense of unity.”Ryan Angel, front left, alongside the Curacao team bus (Ryan Angel)Brenton, known as ‘Captain Blue Face’ as he paints his face blue (the colour of the Curacaoan flag) for matches, says another unique aspect of supporting Curacao is that, because of its small size, many fans are familiar with one another.“When you have the bigger countries, you are fanatic, but you don’t know all the other fans,” he says. “But here, nearly everyone knows someone, there will be a connection. That makes us special.”Brenton Balentien is also known as ‘Captain Blue Face’ (Brenton Balentien)Brenton says Curacao qualifying for the World Cup is a momentous occasion that means “everything”.“For us, it’s life,” he says. “We are a tiny island, everyone here is like family, accomplishing something as big as qualifying for the World Cup, it means the world. Besides seeing the birth of my children, this is the best thing that has ever happened to me.”Fellow supporter Stephany Seinpaal agrees. “It means everything to the island,” she tells The Athletic. “Fans of Curacao are unique because we show strong pride in our small island. We are passionate, loyal and bring a colourful energy to matches. Together we create a loud, festive atmosphere.”Stephany Seinpaal proudly waves the Curacao flag (Stephany Seinpaal)Curacao also have their own song called Blue Wave by artist Jeon in their native Papiamento. Their players put it on in the dressing room before and after games.