Ahead of Curacao’s first-ever World Cup tournament, the nation beat fellow Caribbean island Aruba 4-0 in their final friendly before the competition. However, it was the way the squad arrived at their home stadium, the Stadion Ergilio Hato, that caught the eye of many football fans online.

In an era where elite footballers arrive in air-conditioned, high-spec, luxury leather-trimmed coaches fit for royalty, social media has erupted over the Blue Wave’s “party bus”.

In videos circulating online, the Curacao players were shown arriving in a retro-style school bus, adorned with the nation’s flags and painted in blue and yellow.

With no windows, the players were seen banging the sides of the bus in time with blasting music, showcasing the vibrant team spirit that carried them through the CONCACAF qualifying stages.

On the front of the bus, the phrase “sorry mi a jega” is displayed, which translates to “sorry I arrived” in Papiamento, the native language spoken across the Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.

The Story Behind Curacao's Famous Party Bus

This tongue-in-cheek slogan may underline the nation’s intention to make a mark wherever they go. It is not the first time the bus has been used, with pictures dating back to 2015 showing the squad arriving in similar vehicles.

Speaking with GOAL in 2019, current Curacao goalkeeper said: "It’s like a party bus! I think we’re a big family. We’ve known each other so long. When we come together, it’s like family. I think that’s the most important thing."

Colourful, school-style buses are common in Curacao, a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and are often used for tourist tours around the island. With a population of around 157,000, it is the smallest nation by population ever to feature at a World Cup.

Even with all the positivity, the Blue Wave will face an incredibly difficult “group of death” in Group E, beginning their tournament on 14 June against Germany, followed by Ecuador and then the Ivory Coast.

Despite that, one can hope that Curacao continues to win the hearts of many, and perhaps even bring the bus along for the ride.