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When Germany smashed the Caribbean Curaçao team 7-1 during this year’s FIFA World Cup, the unexpected happened.

Two of the four-time world champions stood with the first-time FIFA qualifiers and prayed.

“One of the most memorable moments following Curaçao’s debut didn’t involve a goal, a trophy, or a celebration,” wrote the country’s Chronicle news.

“Instead, it came after the final whistle, when players from both Curaçao and Germany gathered together in prayer at the centre of the field.”

Germany and Curaçao Pray Together

Germany’s Felix Nmecha and Jonathan Tah approached the team in what Nmecha told reporters was a pre-planned show of Christian brotherhood.

“Before the match, we agreed that afterwards we would come together, regardless of the result, to show that we are brothers in Christ and that there is more to life than football,” Nmecha told Sky Germany.

“Being able to pray together,” Nmecha explained, “is something very special.”

“On the pitch you are opponents, but afterwards you are family in Christ.”

To this, the viral ‘crown down’ signature player added, “I wanted to thank Kenji and the Curaçao players because this isn’t something you take for granted after a defeat. It was a very special moment.”

WOW! Unprecedented.

After this World Cup game players from both teams Curacao and Germany came together to pray to Jesus Christ on the pitch.

Video: @BallersinGod pic.twitter.com/0G7FUY3OzO

— Rikki Doolan (@realrikkidoolan) June 14, 2026

Dubbed debutants, this was Curaçao’s “Cool Runnings” moment; their first time on FIFA’s world stage.

Also called The Blue Wave, a brand based on their team colours and the dedication of their supporters, Curaçao’s entry this year set a new record for the smallest nation to ever compete.

To quote from the team’s official website, “This is more than just a tournament; it’s the culmination of a decade of belief.”

“From the first qualifying match against Montserrat in 2015 to the grandest stage in 2026, Curaçao has proven that size doesn’t define stature.”

After just missing out on qualifying for the Qatar World Cup in 2022, the country with a population of 155,000 made this year’s event and deployed a 26-man team.

Curaçao Team Prays with Presence Revival

While preplanned, the team praying on the field with Germany’s Nmecha and Tah wasn’t an image-managed publicity stunt.

Before leaving for the United States, Curaçao gathered on the shores of the Netherlands to be prayed for and pray with Presence Revival.

Presence Revival is a Dutch evangelism outfit. They hosted the team for a prayer, praise and worship event in the north-eastern city of Noordwijk aan Zee.

Because Curaçao is an autonomous part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Team Blue Wave were in the “mother” country to pre-train in preparation for the game.

Livestreamed on YouTube, the ministry recounted the event and described Curaçao as “one of the greatest underdog stories in modern international football.”

“Behind every football story are real people. Behind every qualification campaign are players, coaches, families, struggles, victories, disappointments, dreams, sacrifices, and moments that never make the headlines.”

This moment, they said, is “about that side of the story.”

“Throughout history, God has used people in positions of influence to shine His light in places that would otherwise be difficult to reach.”

“Today, professional football is one of the most influential platforms in the world.”

While many know the stats, rankings, incomes and schedules, the ministry explained, “far fewer know the stories of faith that exist inside dressing rooms, training camps, and national teams around the world.”

“Some of the most influential testimonies in modern football have come from players who openly followed Jesus Christ while competing at the highest level.”

Curaçao Soccer Star Kenji Gorré

Such as Curaçao national team member and international soccer star, Kenji Gorré.

Speaking to those gathered, Gorré shared, “Life gets real. We struggle. We fight.”

“One thing that I know to be true is that Jesus is the one who can really fill you.”

“I didn’t always know that and it wasn’t always my reality.”

Playing soccer, “started to become who I was,” Gorré continued.

“Everything I did was all about football.” Life was about soccer.

“My joy was in it. My happiness was in it. When football was good, my life was good. When football is bad, my life is bad.”

“That was my reality.”

Having his identity challenged, he said, “Everything was taken away from me.”

“Everyone knew me as the man who played for Manchester United.”

“As that title is taken away from me, I’m left with [asking] who am I?”

This, Gorré testified, was “the first time I really started to question things.”

After another door opened and he signed with a new team, Gorré recalled a boy-to-man moment where “everything was going smoothly.”

He wanted more, and nothing was ever enough to fulfil him.

Landing in Holland to play again for another team, Gorré remembered trusting in coaches, not trusting in God and the ability God has given him.

After watching his cousin die, Gorré started to seek out God and found that God was already at work seeking him.

Despite the wealth, he said, “something was missing.”

Although he considered himself to be a Christian, it was only when he heard the gospel for the first time that “something shifted” inside his heart.

Life adjusted. Gorré then shared about how, through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, God softened his heart and led him to “receive Jesus Christ as Lord and saviour.”

In agreement and capping off their comments about the Blue Wave’s Pre-FIFA faith event, Presence Revival affirmed that “Around the world footballers continue to discover that faith in Christ provides something that success alone can never provide.”

That is “peace with God, forgiveness of sins, hope beyond this life, and a purpose that extends far beyond the final whistle.”

Curaçao’s Team Prayer

Team Curaçao’s current ethos embodies every word.

Verbatim, each sentence of their pre-game prayer ends with a firm “Si Señor!” (Yes, Lord!) and reads as follows: 

“Heavenly Father, we thank you for a new day.

Lord, we thank you that we get the chance to play at the highest level, at the biggest stage.

Lord God, I pray that Your will be done.

I pray that You’ll fill us up with confidence and hope.

I pray that You fill us up with courage.

I pray, Lord, that everything will be released within us that doesn’t belong to us.

I pray, Heavenly Father, that we will enjoy this road.

Lord God, You’ve already shown that anything is possible.

I pray, Lord, that You’ll fill us up with Your goodness.

In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray.  

Amen.”

___

Image via screenshot of YouTube/Presence Revival.