World Cup 2026: Curacao's trailblazing doctor on football's big stage
Dr. Suzanne Huurman is the only female head of medical staff at the 2026 World Cup, leading the medical team for Curacao.
Luigino Da Silva De Jesus
At the 2026 World Cup, Dr. Suzanne Huurman has made history as the only female head of medical staff among the men's tournament participants. She is only the third woman to hold such a position in the 96-year history of the competition.
Huurman leads the medical team for Curacao, the smallest nation by population and size to ever compete in the tournament. While she has grown accustomed to being the only woman in the room, she remains optimistic about seeing more female representation in elite sports roles as more capable professionals emerge.
Before joining the Curacao national side, Huurman built an extensive career working with clubs including Real Madrid, PSV Eindhoven, and Go Ahead Eagles. She highlights that the 'always-on' culture of professional football, which demands 24/7 dedication, remains a significant hurdle for work-life balance.
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. But you have to prove yourself. Dr. Suzanne Huurman
Fifa has taken steps to accelerate change, including new regulations mandating at least one female medical staff member and one female coach for women's tournaments. During the match between Curacao and Germany, fans witnessed the first-ever all-female medical team at a men's World Cup. Huurman suggests that introducing agile-working options, similar to rotational systems in some countries, could help make elite sports roles more accessible to female doctors.