Dr Suzanne Huurman is making history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the only female head of medical staff among the 48 participating men's teams.
The Curaçao team doctor is just the third woman to hold such a role in the tournament's 96-year history, following New Zealand's Dr Celeste Geertsema in 2010 and Germany's Dr Silja Schwarz, who has worked with the national team since 2023.
Huurman, who has previously worked with Real Madrid, PSV Eindhoven, Go Ahead Eagles and several Dutch national teams, said she was initially unaware of the significance of her position.
"I didn't realise in the beginning because it's so normal to be one of the few women in the room," she said.
"But I hope to see more women soon because there are many who are capable."
Born in Brazil and trained in the Netherlands, Huurman joined a Curaçao setup where she is the only woman among a travelling group of 49 players and staff.
Despite football's male-dominated environment, she believes expertise ultimately earns respect.
"If you show you're capable and good at what you do, people accept you," she explained.
"But you do have to prove yourself."
"Early on, many people still question whether women can work in men's football."
Huurman highlighted the demanding nature of elite sport as a major reason for the lack of female representation.
The constant travel, long hours and challenges of balancing family life can make careers in professional football difficult to sustain.
"When I studied medicine, around 70% of students were women," she said.
"But in sports medicine, the numbers were much lower."
"That's where I really noticed the difference."
FIFA has taken steps to encourage greater diversity, introducing regulations for women's tournaments requiring at least one female medical staff member and one female coach.
Huurman welcomed such initiatives and suggested more flexible working arrangements could help attract and retain female doctors in elite sport.
Countries such as Sweden already use rotating medical teams, an approach she believes could make the profession more accessible.
For women considering careers in football, her message is simple: "I've heard countless times that I couldn't do something because I'm a woman."
"But if you're good at your job and prove your quality, you can do it."
On the pitch, Curaçao have already made history by scoring their first-ever World Cup goal during a 7-1 defeat to Germany.
The Caribbean nation will now aim to build on that milestone in their remaining group-stage matches against Ecuador and Ivory Coast.
"We're optimistic," Huurman said.
"The players are focused and motivated."
"In football, anything can happen."
