World Cup 2026: Curacao’s trailblazer doctor on football’s big stage
In order to accelerate change in 2026, FIFA new rules, external for women’s tournaments. According to the regulations, at least one member of the medical staff must be a woman and at least one of the coaches must be a woman.
In the match played between Curacao and Germany for the first time in men’s World Cup history, all-female, external medical team – Fifa match doctor Dr Emma Lunan, Curacao head of medical Dr Suzanne Huurman, Germany team doctor Dr Silja Schwarz, emergency medicine doctor Dr Carrie Bakunas and injury monitor Dr Kerry Peek.
“I hope this is a springboard to show that expertise in sports medicine and performance medicine does not depend on your sex or gender and that opportunities for progression can depend on your competence,” Dr Lunan told FIFA.
Dr Huurman thinks the new regulations are positive.
“When I started at Real Madrid in 2020, I worked with the women’s team, then I moved to the men’s team. When they started the women’s team, the entire squad was male except me,” he said.
When asked how football could evolve, Dr Huurman suggested considering agile working options.
“I know countries like Sweden have a rotating system with different doctors; first week, one doctor, second week, a different doctor etc. This flexible working approach may suit female doctors better, but elite sport is not used to that yet; they are used to having one permanent doctor on one team.”
Dr Huurman called on women who said no to prove themselves: “I’ve heard it a million times, you can’t do it because you’re a woman, especially in professional football.
“But you can do it if you prove your quality and are a good professional.”
Curacao, known as the Blue Wave, made history by scoring their first World Cup goal against Germany in Houston last Sunday.
But their celebrations were short-lived as the four-time winners cruised to a 7-1 victory.
Curacao will look to increase their goal count against Ecuador and Ivory Coast in their remaining group matches and Huurman said the team remains optimistic.
“We are optimistic about our next two games,” he added. “They’re happy, they’re focused. I saw Spain draw 0-0 with Cape Verde, so you never know.”
