Room: My phone was boiling hot after Ecuador

Celebrity status still catches Eloy Room off-guard a bit. The goalkeeper used to go about his business in relative anonymity, but that all changed on 20 June at Kansas City Stadium, where he delivered a performance for the ages in Curaçao’s 0-0 draw with Ecuador at the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

Room made 16 saves, equalling the competition record set by Tim Howard in USA’s 2-1 extra-time defeat to Belgium at Brazil 2014. It was a deserved reward for a man who has been with Curaçao since its genesis. With the Blue Wave back in action later this month in the Concacaf Nations League, his desire to return to the biggest stage in 2030 remains intact.

More than two months on from that majestic evening, Room spoke with FIFA to reflect on his World Cup experience and how much life has changed since.

FIFA: When you think back on the World Cup, what comes to mind?

Eloy Room: The experience in total. Playing the first game, the atmosphere in the stadium, the fans. That was really special. And when we scored our first goal. That's a special moment. Obviously the Ecuador game was insane, but I think in general to actually be in the World Cup and have success is really satisfying.

What did you all learn from the first match against Germany?

We were a little too excited. They are a big team, but we wanted to show the world what we could do. I think we played way too open, so we learned from that and adjusted our playing style and system. It's pretty tough to lose the first game like that (7-1), but the energy and spirit in the team was really good. Until the first water break, we played a really good game. We scored the equaliser and saw a little bit of fear in Germany's eyes. The water break didn't help us. They recovered and punished us, but there was a brief moment when we were playing good football.

When did you know in the Ecuador match that it could be a really special night for you?

To be honest, after that first save. I knew it could be like a really busy game. I’ve had games like that before, I knew the pressure was on and they were pushing.

You’ve been with Curaçao since the beginning, so what did it mean to you to make history on the biggest stage?

It was really special. We had come such a long way. I started 11 years ago with the team, so it makes me really proud of the boys and also the federation. We had some tough times and it wasn't always easy. Everybody was always doubting us, but that only gave us more motivation.

How much do you appreciate that the best performance of your career came in a World Cup?

I always wanted to show myself on the biggest stage with my country, and that's the World Cup. Everybody's watching. I was always confident in myself and my qualities. I know I can help the team, but it's not easy to have a performance like that. It gives me a lot of confidence. I was not even thinking of records or anything. I was just focusing on helping the team out. I think if you're not forcing things, it always will come.

What memory do you cherish the most from the World Cup?

I would say stepping on the field for the first game. Every football player wants to play at the World Cup, right? But it's not easy to reach that level, so that was a really special moment. Walking on the pitch alongside Manuel Neuer… he's one of my examples. I think he's one of the greatest goalkeepers ever, and then I'm just walking next to him.

And obviously, I have to say the Ecuador game. For me to have that game at the World Cup is amazing. I'm mostly humble, but I cannot think of a better game to play like that. It was the perfect game.

What is the future of Curaçao going into this new cycle?

We wanted to reach the World Cup and we did it. Everybody is happy about it, but now we want to make sure we go back to that level. It's a time to rebuild the team. Not everybody is going to be there at the next World Cup. I'm aiming to be there. That's my goal. A lot of young talents are coming through, so they have to fit in, they have to adapt, and that's a little bit of transition we have to make.

So you're targeting 2030?

Yeah, that's my goal. It's still far away, but I know I can do it. I'm still motivated. That's the most important thing. I'm fit. I'm playing every week, I don't skip any training. If I can keep that up and I still enjoy the game, I want to be there. I smelled a first World Cup and I feel like I have another cycle in me.

For years Curaçao was the hunter, but now you all are the hunted. How does that feel?

I also notice it myself now playing for Miami FC. People look differently at you. You're now a World Cup goalkeeper… We're always the underdog and it suits us, but now we have to step up. I think it's a good thing in our development as a country, as a federation. We have to deal with it.

What has it been like for you personally since the World Cup? Are you recognised more in public?

I get recognised a lot now because of the World Cup. Before I could be a little bit lonely in the streets and restaurants. But people watched the World Cup, especially in Miami where there are a lot of South American people, so there’s a difference now. You notice in games that people want pictures and more autographs and stuff like that, so that's nice. I know that I now represent Curaçao even more. I like to get the recognition. It also brings a little bit more pressure, but I like to perform under pressure.

And definitely more Instagram followers now, right?

That was crazy! After the [Ecuador] game, my wife said, ‘Your social media is exploding’. I thought maybe it was a couple thousand followers. I went back to the locker room and I refreshed my phone. My phone was boiling hot! I couldn't even touch it. This notifications kept coming. I opened Instagram and I saw almost 900,000 followers and said, ‘What's going on?’ It’s different now because you have to watch out what you do on social media and what you post. You have to really think about it. I’m like a semi-influencer now, so I'm a goalkeeper and an influencer (laughs).

How have you enjoyed your first season with Miami FC?

This season we had a completely new team, new players. They have a nice plan laid out for the future, like a new stadium and facility. So I’m really happy to be a part of that. For me, it was a perfect timing because I could also prepare for the World Cup by playing a lot of games. That was one of my most important things. I'm really grateful for that.

We had a phase where we took a lot of points but then we had some difficulties and lost some games. There is pressure because we want to make the play-offs, it's been a while since Miami FC has been in the play-offs, but we're still in there. We have eight games left. We can win a couple of games and be in the right spot.