The Void After the World Cup

The Void After the World Cup

July 21, 2026

The World Cup came to an end on Sunday, July 19, 2026. Except for the Spaniards, I assume, many of us were left with a small sense of emptiness. That is only natural. For more than a month, it had been part of our daily lives. Every post-tournament feeling is different. This time, however, it was not only the end of the tournament that left a bitter aftertaste, but also the disgraceful altercation between players on the pitch after the final, regardless of what may have triggered it.

Here at home, the World Cup is also leaving its mark. The oldest head coach of the tournament has extended his contract, while the president of the FFK has announced his resignation.

Meanwhile, we are in the middle of the hottest part of the year and the holiday season. Today's newspaper shows that concerns about the growth of mass tourism and its consequences are becoming increasingly widespread. Once again, controversy has arisen over the construction of eight apartment towers that, according to reports, were not built in accordance with the approved building permit, requiring yet another court ruling. The issue has once again stirred up considerable public debate.

The real hangover, however, comes from reading that the government will provide approximately 35,000 people with 100 Caribbean guilders per month for a limited period. At the very least, this is a strong indication that a significant share of the population is struggling to make ends meet. It has been known for years that around 30 percent of the population lives below the subsistence level. When one considers that economic growth and inflation have further increased the cost of living in recent years, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the situation has become worse rather than better.

At the same time, reports continue to emerge that the education system is facing growing challenges. And then there is the government's invitation to submit a dream as part of the process of developing Curaçao's long-term vision.

Dreams matter. But without an honest assessment of today's realities, dreams risk becoming castles in the air. Perhaps Curaçao's greatest challenge is not to dream bigger, but to develop policies that genuinely narrow the gap between vision and reality.

Miguel Goede