THERE AREN’T any teams from the traditional Caribbean in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil (although there are several from the wider Caribbean Basin), but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a strong Caribbean contingent. From powerhouses like the Netherlands and England to up-and-coming teams like Costa Rica, there are a number of Caribbean footballers in Brazil this month. Here are some of the featured Caribbean athletes.
Raheem Sterling
The 19-year-old phenom who plays for England was actually born in Kingston, Jamaica. A midfielder, he plays professionally for Liverpool.
Raphael Varane
Varane, who plays professionally for Real Madrid, is a centre back for the French World Cup team. He is of Martiniquais heritage, as his father comes from the island.
Daniel Sturridge
The England striker is of Jamaican heritage, as both sides of his grandparents are Jamaican. Like Sterling, he plays for Liverpool professionally. (And he keeps up his ties to Jamaica with a charity in Portmore).
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Oxlade-Chamberlain, the son of former England internationa player Mark Chamberlain, is of Jamaican heritage. A winger and central midfielder, he plays professionally for Arsenal.
Jean Beausejour
Beausejour, a 30-year-old left winger for Chile, is the son of a Haitian father. He plays professionally for Wigan Athletic in England.
Nigel de Jong
Much of the Netherlands’ football success over the years has come from the Caribbean nation of Suriname, and the trend continues today. de Jong, of Surinamese heritage,is a defensive midfielder who plays professionally for Milan.
Jeremain Lens
Lens, a striker, is of Surinamese heritage (and has even played internationally for the country). He plays professionally for FC Dyanmo Kyiv.
Georginio Wijnaldum
Wijnaldum is of Surinamese heritage, and plays for professionally for PSV in the Netherlands. For Oranje, he’s a midfielder.
Leroy Fer
The Norwich City player is a central midfielder who plays for (and was born in) the Netherlands. His roots, however, come from Curacao, where he comes from a family of sporting talents.
Jozy Altidore
The Haitian-American Altidore is one of the leaders of the American World Cup squad. A striker by trade, he plays professionally for Sunderland. He suffered a hamstring injury in Monday’s game against Ghana, however, and his status remains unclear.
Chris Smalling
Smalling, of Jamaican heritage, is a centre back for England who plays professionally for Manchester United.
Patrick Pemberton
Yes, Costa Rica has a Caribbean coastline, and it’s an area with a distinct heritage and culture in large part due to an influx of immigration from Caribbean countries like Jamaica in the 19th century. That results in last names like Pemberton in a Spanish-speaking country. Patrick Pemberton, a native of Puerto Limon, is the lead goalie for the Costa Rican World Cup side, playing professionally for LD Alajuelense.
Marvin Chavez
The winger Chavez is part of a group of Garifuna players on the Honduran side, those who live on the Caribbean coast of the country — indeed, almost half of the team is comprised of those of Garifuna heritage. Chavez plays professionally in Chivas USA in MLS.
David Myrie
David Myrie, a defender for the Costa Rican team, hails from the Caribbean area of Puerto Viejo. He plays professionally for the Costa Rican side Herediano.
Loic Remy
The 27-year-old native of Lyon is of Martiniquais heritage and plays for France. Professionally, the striker plays for Queens Park Rangers in England.
Jonathan de Guzman
The midfielder for the Netherlands is the son of a Jamaican mother. He plays professionally for Swansea City, on loan from Spain’s Villareal.