Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room earned man of the match honors in Kansas City.
Ecuador and Curaçao played to a 0-0 draw in their World Cup group-stage match.
Both teams earned one point and trail Germany and Ivory Coast in their group.
Curaçao’s goalkeeper Eloy Room was the man of the match in Kansas City on Saturday. Curaçao held Ecuador to a 0-0 draw in the World Cup group-stage game at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium.
While other host cities have dealt with headlines about empty seats during the 2026 World Cup, KC’s stadium has been jam-packed for both of its tournament games so far.
Both Ecuador and Curaçao get a point for World Cup play, but they trail the other members of their group, Germany and the Ivory Coast. Ecuador will face Germany and Curaçao will play Ivory Coast in the next round of group-stage competition on Thursday.
Relive the game in photos:
Curaçao fans cheer on their team before a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match against Ecuador at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
The national flags are displayed on the pitch before the Ecuador vs. Curaçao FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Emily Curiel
Ecuador fans cheer on their team during warmups before their game against Curaçao during FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands wave to the crowd ahead of the Ecuador vs. Curaçao FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Curaçao is part of the Dutch Kingdom and the royal couple pulled off a double header cheering on both Netherlands in Houston and Curaçao in Kansas City. Dominick Williams
A Curaçao fan holds up his country's flag before a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match against Ecuador at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Ecuador defender Pervis Estupiñán (7) heads the ball against Curaçao forward Jürgen Locadia (9) during a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Ecuador vs. Curaçao FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Ecuador vs. Curaçao FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Ecuador forward Enner Valencia (13) battles for the ball against Curaçao defender Juriën Gaari (3) in the Ecuador vs. Curaçao FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Ecuador defender Pervis Estupiñán (7) calls for the referee to issue a card against Curaçao in the first half of the Ecuador vs. Curaçao FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room (1) makes one of this many saves against Curaçao during the first half of a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Ecuador forward Enner Valencia (13) is pulled down by Curaçao defender Livano Comenencia (8) in the first half of the Ecuador vs. Curaçao FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
An Ecuadorian fan cheers in their colorful crocheted mask at the Ecuador vs. Curaçao FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Curaçao defender Livano Comenencia (8) is given a yellow card in the second half of the Ecuador vs. Curaçao FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Ecuador defender Piero Hincapié (3) challenges Curaçao midfielder Juninho Bacuna (7) for the ball during a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez was on hand before a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match between Ecuador and Curaçao at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Ecuador defender Piero Hincapié (3) has loses possession of the ball in the Ecuador vs. Curaçao FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room (1) stops a Ecuador attempt on goal in the Ecuador vs. Curaçao FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Ecuador forward Enner Valencia (13) tires to head the ball into the goal against Curaçao defender Sherel Floranus (5) during a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Curaçao manager Dick Advocaat coaches his team in a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room (1) makes one of his many saves against Ecuador during a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Curaçao players mob goalkeeper Eloy Room after he held Ecuador to a draw at a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room (1) makes a save in a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
An Ecuador fan appears worried in the stands during the second half of the Ecuador vs. Curaçao FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Emily Curiel
Ecuador midfielder Gonzalo Plata (19) holds his face after a foul on a Curaçao player in a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room (1) holds the ball in a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Curaçao forward Tahith Chong (21) gets fouled by a player from Ecuador in a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium is filled with a sea of yellow-clad Ecuadorian fans at the Ecuador vs. Curaçao FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room (1) makes a save in a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Ecuador fans sit in disbelief after their team played to a draw against Curaçao during a FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Ecuador defender Piero Hincapié (3) hides is face in frustration over the team's 0-0 draw against Curaçao FIFA World Cup group-stage soccer match at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
This story was originally published June 20, 2026 at 9:42 PM.
Emily Curiel, is a visual journalist at The Star. With a broad scope of coverage, Curiel navigates subjects including breaking news, sports, features and long-form narratives. She is a first-generation graduate from San Francisco State University and a native of Los Angeles.
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