One woman among 48: that is the gender breakdown for head of medical staff at the men’s 2026 World Cup. Dr Suzanne Huurman, chief medical officer for Curacao’s national men’s side, is only the third female team doctor in the 96-year history of the tournament. As England prepares to end 60 years of hurt under Thomas Tuchel, Curacao — the smallest nation by population and size ever to reach a World Cup — is quietly making history off the pitch.
One woman among 48: the 2026 World Cup’s most striking statistic
Of the 48 nations competing at the 2026 World Cup, only one has a woman heading its medical staff. Dr Suzanne Huurman, chief medical officer for Curacao’s men’s national team, is the sole female representative in this role across the entire tournament. In the 96-year history of football’s biggest competition, only three women have ever held this position.
FIFA has launched multiple inclusion initiatives over recent years, yet men’s national team medical departments remain overwhelmingly male. Dr Huurman’s appointment is not a statistical footnote — it is proof that the barrier can be broken, regardless of federation size or available budget.
Who is Dr Suzanne Huurman?
Dr Suzanne Huurman is a high-performance sports medicine physician with top-level international experience. Before taking charge of Curacao’s medical team at the 2026 World Cup, she provided medical support for the Netherlands national team at the Paris 2024 Olympics — a highly credible platform in elite sport.
She becomes the third woman in history to lead the medical staff of a men’s national team at a World Cup. Her predecessors were Dr Celeste Geertsema (New Zealand, 2010) and Dr Silja Schwarz (Germany). Huurman represents Curacao, a Caribbean island of just 160,000 people, demonstrating that trailblazing does not require a large infrastructure or a big-budget federation.
Curacao: the smallest nation in World Cup history
With a population of 160,000 and an area of just 444 km², Curacao is the smallest nation — by both population and size — ever to qualify for a World Cup. That achievement alone would have secured a place in football history books.
An autonomous territory of the Netherlands in the Caribbean, Curacao has built a strong football culture despite structural and financial limitations. Dr Huurman’s leadership of the medical team is another example of how this small island punches well above its weight — on and off the pitch — at football’s biggest stage.
Three pioneers in 96 years: an incredibly exclusive club
In 96 editions of the World Cup, only three women have led the medical staff of a men’s national team. Dr Celeste Geertsema broke the barrier with New Zealand at the 2010 tournament in South Africa. Dr Silja Schwarz followed with Germany. Now, Dr Huurman writes the third chapter with Curacao in 2026.
Notably, none of the three pioneers have come from established footballing superpowers — not Brazil, Argentina, France, or England. It raises a legitimate question: are the game’s biggest nations doing enough to open these doors to women in sports medicine?
England and gender diversity: what Tuchel’s team can learn from Curacao
The FA has never appointed a woman as head of medical staff for the England men’s national team at a World Cup. As Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden target England’s first ever World Cup title under Thomas Tuchel, the question of gender diversity within the technical and medical backroom deserves far more attention.
Dr Huurman’s story is a reminder that pioneering change can come from the smallest corners of the world game. Curacao, population 160,000, has already taken that step. England, with 56 million people and one of the world’s best-resourced football associations, has not. The 2026 World Cup may be the moment for the FA to ask itself why — and what it plans to do about it.
FAQ
Who is Dr Suzanne Huurman?
Dr Suzanne Huurman is the head of medical staff for Curacao’s men’s national team at the 2026 World Cup. She is only the third woman in the 96-year history of the tournament to hold this position. Before the 2026 World Cup, she provided medical support for the Netherlands national team at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
How many female chief medical officers are at the 2026 World Cup?
Just one: Dr Suzanne Huurman of Curacao. Of the 48 nations competing, 47 have men heading their medical departments. In the entire history of the World Cup across 96 editions, only three women have held this role.
Why is Curacao historically significant at the 2026 World Cup?
Curacao is the smallest nation — by population (160,000 people) and territory (444 km²) — ever to qualify for a World Cup. An autonomous territory of the Netherlands in the Caribbean, the island is making its historic debut at football’s biggest stage.
Has England ever had a female head of medical staff at a World Cup?
No. The FA has never appointed a woman to lead the medical staff of the England men’s national team at a World Cup. Dr Huurman’s achievement with Curacao shows this barrier can — and should — be broken by the major footballing associations.
Who was the first female team doctor at a men’s World Cup?
The first woman to serve as head of medical staff for a men’s national team at a World Cup was Dr Celeste Geertsema, who worked with New Zealand at the 2010 tournament in South Africa. She was followed by Dr Silja Schwarz (Germany), and now Dr Suzanne Huurman (Curacao) in 2026.
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