Curacao's Dr Suzanne Huurman: The Trailblazer Breaking Barriers at the 2026 World Cup

Dr Suzanne Huurman, head of medical staff for Curacao's men's national team, is only the third female team doctor in the 96-year history of the men's...

A Lone Woman in a Man's World

At the 2026 World Cup, one woman stands among 47 men as head of medical staff for a participating nation. Dr Suzanne Huurman, the doctor for Curacao's men's national team, is only the third-ever female team doctor in the tournament's 96-year history. It's a statistic that, when brought to her attention by FIFA, barely registered.

"I didn't realise in the beginning because it's so normal to be the only, or one of the few, women in the room," she told BBC Sport. "But I hope to see more women soon because there are a lot more women out there who are capable."

On the surface, it's a remarkable achievement. Curacao, a Caribbean island of just 158,000 people, is the smallest nation by population and size to ever qualify for a men's World Cup. They booked their ticket to the expanded 48-team tournament unbeaten, with seven wins and three draws, and now Dr Huurman is part of that pioneering setup.

But dig deeper, and her journey reflects a wider struggle for female representation in elite football medicine. While her role is historic, it also underscores the slow pace of change in a game that remains overwhelmingly male-dominated off the pitch.

Who is Dr Suzanne Huurman?

Born in Brazil and now based in the Netherlands, Dr Huurman’s CV reads like that of a seasoned professional comfortable in any sporting environment. She has worked with Real Madrid, PSV Eindhoven and Go Ahead Eagles, as well as being medical lead for the Netherlands Under-16 boys and doctor for the Dutch women's handball team. Her first taste of a major tournament came at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she supported the Netherlands squad.

Her appointment by the Curacao federation came in 2026, and she is now immersed in the World Cup experience—the only woman among 49 travelling players and staff. "We travel with 49 people – players and staff. I'm the only woman," she said, matter-of-factly.

The historical context is stark. Dr Celeste Geertsema blazed a trail in 2010 as the first female doctor for a participating team when she worked with New Zealand men's team in South Africa. Dr Silja Schwarz has been in the Germany men's setup since 2023. Yet over a decade later, Dr Huurman is still a rare exception.

The Challenges of Being 'The Only'

Dr Huurman doesn't shy away from the realities of working in a male-dominated field. She acknowledges that she has had to prove herself repeatedly.

"If you show them you're capable and you're good at what you do, then it's easy that they accept you because it's about quality and performing," she explained. "But you have to prove yourself. It's hard to get in because in the beginning you always have a lot of people that say no, this cannot be possible. How can women work in a male environment?"

She also points to structural barriers that go beyond individual capability. The 'always-on' culture of elite sport—the travel, the relentless schedule—can be particularly punishing for women balancing family lives. "It's not only your capabilities – if you're a good professional that's one thing, but it's the travel, the lifestyle which can affect your personal life," she noted. "If you have a family [or] you're pregnant, you will be out of work for a certain period – and you cannot time it perfectly with a professional football season."

That lack of flexibility is a significant hurdle. Even at the 2023 Women's World Cup, female doctors were not the norm, with countries like England and Sweden employing male team doctors. The pipeline of female medical staff in football remains thin, and Dr Huurman hopes her visibility can change that.

A Small Island's Giant Leap

Curacao's World Cup journey itself is a story of defying odds. A constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the island has a rich football culture but limited resources. Qualifying for the 2026 tournament was a seismic achievement, and the team has become a neutral favourite. Their recent matches, including a 7-1 defeat that did little to dampen the spirits of travelling fans, have embodied the joy of participation.

For Dr Huurman, the opportunity is as much about representation as it is about medicine. "With Curacao, the whole federation was completely male – no females, not only in the medical team but anywhere," she said. Being the first woman in that environment carries weight, but she is already focused on the future: "I hope to see more women soon."

BBC Sport's exclusive interview comes ahead of Curacao's next fixture in Kansas, where they face Ecuador. As the World Cup progresses, Dr Huurman's presence on the touchline will serve as a quiet inspiration—proof that ability, not gender, should determine who gets to be part of football's biggest stage.

Key Takeaways

Dr Suzanne Huurman is only the third female head of medical staff in the 96-year history of the men's World Cup.
She works with Curacao, the smallest nation by population and size ever to qualify for the tournament.
Structural barriers—especially the demands of travel and lack of work-life balance—remain major obstacles for women in elite football medicine.
Dr Huurman's career includes roles with Real Madrid, PSV Eindhoven, and the Netherlands youth teams, showcasing the depth of expertise women bring to the game.
Her example is key to normalising female leadership in football and encouraging more women to pursue sports medicine roles.