Blades and Boro pair set for World Cup with Curacao

Sheffield United midfielder Tahith Chong and Middlesbrough winger Sontje Hansen will be team-mates for the World Cup.

The pair will represent Curacao – the smallest nation to ever participate in the competition.

Both Chong and Hansen played the second half of Curacao’s 4-0 friendly win over Aruba on Sunday, with all four goals coming while they were on the pitch.

Chong had given his country the lead against Scotland at Hampden Park last weekend before they went on to lose 4-1.

Rotherham defender Ar’Jany Martha, who was relegated to League Two in the 2025-26 season with the Millers, is also in the squad managed by ex-Netherlands, Rangers and Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat.

Elsewhere for Boro, Alfie Jones is in the Canada squad.

Here is a reminder who Curacao and Canada will face in the group stage, so you can keep an eye out once the World Cup begins on 11 June:

• Canada, Group B: Bosnia, Qatar and Switzerland
• Curacao, Group E: Germany, Ivory Coast and Ecuador