The team of interim coach Patrick Kluivert (third from right) in training
DALLAS, TEXAS—Curaçao’s national soccer team is out of Concacaf’s Gold Cup in the US, after COVID-19 tests returned a “significant number” of positive results. Guatemala has replaced the Dutch Caribbean country.
“Although several Curaçao players returned a negative test result, local state guidelines require several of them to isolate due to being close contacts of those who tested positive,” Concacaf said in a news release. “In light of these circumstances, Concacaf and the Curaçao Football Federation have mutually agreed that Curaçao will not participate in the Gold Cup.”
“Concacaf and the Curaçao Football Federation have made every effort to find a solution that would enable Curaçao to compete, however the health and safety of the Curaçao players and staff, and all participants in the tournament, must be prioritised.”
This is a tough blow for Curaçao, which advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2019 Gold Cup, only losing 1-0 to eventual runner-up United States.
Guatemala as loser to Curaçao in the final qualifying match replaces it in Group A. Curaçao was scheduled to face El Salvador in Dallas on Saturday afternoon, but instead El Salvador will play against Guatemala Sunday night.
