PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kevin Felida |
| Date of Birth | 11 November 1999 (Age: 26) |
| Place of Birth | Netherlands |
| Nationality | Curaçao (sporting) / Dutch (birth) |
| Height | 1.74 m / 5 ft 9 in |
| Weight | 66 kg / 146 lbs |
| Position | Central Midfielder / Defensive Midfielder |
| Preferred Foot | — |
| Squad Number | #6 (FC Den Bosch), #22 (Curaçao) |
| Current Club | FC Den Bosch |
| Previous Clubs | RKC Waalwijk, FC Den Bosch (youth & senior) |
| International Caps | — |
| International Goals | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2027 (FC Den Bosch) |
| Market Value | €960K |
The Frozen Moment
The 2026 FIFA World Cup. Curaçao, a nation of just 150,000 people, had arrived in North America for their first-ever World Cup appearance. For Kevin Felida, the journey to the global stage had been one of homecoming and redemption—returning to his boyhood club FC Den Bosch after three seasons in the Eredivisie, and finally earning his place at football’s greatest tournament.
When Curaçao’s 26-man squad was announced on May 18, 2026, Felida was among the midfielders selected. It was the culmination of a remarkable journey. The midfielder had come through the FC Den Bosch youth academy, made his professional debut for the club, and after a spell with RKC Waalwijk, had returned to Den Bosch as captain. Now, he was heading to the World Cup.
Felida experienced the tournament from the bench, an unused substitute throughout Curaçao’s group stage campaign. But the experience was unforgettable. “Het was een fantastische ervaring,” he later reflected. “Ik denk dat ik het nog een plekje moet geven. Het is mooi dat wij daar hebben mogen staan en voor ons doen goede resultaten hebben behaald.” His most cherished memory: swapping shirts with Germany’s Jamal Musiala after the match. “Ik heb het shirtje van Musiala mogen bemachtigen, dus dat is mooi. Dat is geen kleine speler.”
“Ik ben ook gewoon een prof en wil altijd spelen,” he admitted, wrestling with the disappointment of not featuring. “Ik heb er moeite mee gehad dat ik niet heb gespeeld, maar uiteindelijk is het een mooie ervaring. Dit is niet voor iedereen weggelegd.”
The boy from the Netherlands who chose to represent the island of his heritage had experienced the World Cup—and his journey was far from over.
Origins
Kevin Felida was born on November 11, 1999, in the Netherlands. His footballing journey began in the Dutch youth system, playing for VV Spijkenisse and SBV Excelsior before joining the youth academy of FC Den Bosch. His development through the Den Bosch youth system prepared him for a professional career that would see him make his first-team debut and establish himself as a key player.
His international career began when he chose to represent Curaçao, the country of his heritage, at the senior level.
The Forge
FC Den Bosch (2017-2022):
Felida made his professional debut for FC Den Bosch on December 15, 2017, coming on as a substitute in the 85th minute. On November 14, 2017, he signed his first professional contract, committing to the club until 2020. He scored his first professional goal on March 16, 2018, in a 4-1 victory over FC Dordrecht—a stunning strike from 30 meters in the 90th minute.
Over his first spell at Den Bosch, he made over 130 league appearances, scoring 6 goals and providing 6 assists. His most productive seasons came in 2020-21 (33 appearances, 2 goals, 3 assists) and 2021-22 (33 appearances, 1 goal).
RKC Waalwijk (2022-2025):
On May 23, 2022, Felida signed a three-year contract with Eredivisie club RKC Waalwijk. He made his Eredivisie debut on September 4, 2022, against Excelsior Rotterdam (5-2 win). Over three seasons at Waalwijk, he made 32 Eredivisie appearances, scoring 1 goal. His playing time was limited, with many appearances coming from the bench.
Return to FC Den Bosch and Captaincy (2025-Present):
On July 19, 2025, Felida returned to his boyhood club FC Den Bosch, signing a contract until the summer of 2027. Following the departure of Teun van Grunsven, Felida was appointed club captain for the 2026-27 season. In the 2025-26 Eerste Divisie season, he made 34 appearances (32 starts), scoring 4 goals and providing 3 assists across 2,927 minutes. He also featured in KNVB Cup and play-off matches. His market value is estimated at €960K.
The Anatomy of His Game
Kevin Felida is a midfielder defined by his consistency, work rate, and leadership. Standing at 1.74 meters, he combines technical ability with a strong work ethic.
In Possession:
Felida is a composed and reliable presence in midfield. In the 2025-26 Eerste Divisie season, he scored 4 goals and provided 3 assists in 34 appearances. His expected goals (xG) of 5.11 reflected his ability to get into goalscoring positions. He took 35 shots across the season, with a goal contribution of 0.22 per 90 minutes.
Out of Possession:
Felida is a disciplined and hard-working midfielder. In the 2025-26 season, he received 4 yellow cards in 34 appearances, demonstrating his competitive edge. His work rate and defensive contributions have been key to his success at FC Den Bosch.
Psychological Edge:
Felida’s leadership and mental resilience are his defining qualities. His appointment as FC Den Bosch captain for the 2026-27 season reflects the respect he commands in the dressing room. His ability to return to his boyhood club and immediately become a leader demonstrates his character. Despite the disappointment of not featuring at the World Cup, he remained positive: “Of ik had willen spelen? Tuurlijk. Of ik dankbaar mag zijn? Zeker!”
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eerste Divisie | 34 | 32 | 2,927 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| KNVB Beker | 3 | 3 | 300 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Play-offs | 2 | 2 | 154 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 39 | 37 | 3,381 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
TABLE B: Career (League)
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | Den Bosch | Eerste Divisie | 14 | 1 | 0 |
| 2018-19 | Den Bosch | Eerste Divisie | 24 | 0 | 2 |
| 2019-20 | Den Bosch | Eerste Divisie | 28 | 2 | 1 |
| 2020-21 | Den Bosch | Eerste Divisie | 33 | 2 | 3 |
| 2021-22 | Den Bosch | Eerste Divisie | 33 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022-23 | Waalwijk | Eredivisie | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023-24 | Waalwijk | Eredivisie | 17 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024-25 | Waalwijk | Eredivisie | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025-26 | Den Bosch | Eerste Divisie | 34 | 4 | 3 |
| TOTAL | — | — | 198 | 11 | 9 |
TABLE C: International Record (2026)
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 0 | 0 |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Professional Debut | FC Den Bosch |
| 2017 | First Professional Contract | Signed until 2020 |
| 2018 | First Professional Goal | 30m strike vs FC Dordrecht |
| 2022 | RKC Waalwijk Move | Signed for Eredivisie club |
| 2025 | Return to Den Bosch | Signed until 2027 |
| 2026 | Curaçao Debut | — |
| 2026 | World Cup Selection | Named in Curaçao squad |
| 2026 | Club Captain | Appointed FC Den Bosch captain |
What these figures reveal
is a player of remarkable consistency and loyalty. Felida has made nearly 200 professional appearances by age 26, almost entirely in the Eerste Divisie. His return to his boyhood club and appointment as captain reflect his character and leadership. His selection for the 2026 World Cup represents the pinnacle of his international career.
The Present Tense
Kevin Felida is 26 years old and in the prime of his career. He is FC Den Bosch’s captain, a Curaçao international, and a World Cup participant.
The FC Den Bosch Story:
Felida returned to FC Den Bosch in July 2025 on a contract until 2027. In the 2025-26 season, he made 34 appearances, scoring 4 goals and providing 3 assists. Following the departure of Teun van Grunsven, he was appointed club captain for the 2026-27 season. His market value is estimated at €960K.
The World Cup Campaign:
Felida was named in Curaçao’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on May 18, 2026. He was an unused substitute throughout the tournament. His most memorable moment was swapping shirts with Germany’s Jamal Musiala after Curaçao’s match against the four-time world champions. “Ik heb het shirtje van Musiala mogen bemachtigen, dus dat is mooi,” he said. Curaçao was eliminated in the group stage.
International Record:
Felida has represented Curaçao at the senior level, though he has not yet made an appearance for the national team.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Kevin Felida is defined by his journey through the Dutch football system and his commitment to Curaçao. Born in the Netherlands to Curaçaoan heritage, he chose to represent the island of his ancestors at the international level.
His return to FC Den Bosch in 2025 marked a homecoming. He had come through the club’s youth academy, made his professional debut there, scored his first professional goal there, and after three seasons away, he returned as a leader and captain. “Ik ben gewend om hier te zijn, bij de club en in Nederland,” he said. “Het is geweest. Nu weer door.”
His World Cup experience, despite not playing, was transformative. “Ik denk dat ik het nog een plekje moet geven. Het is mooi dat wij daar hebben mogen staan en voor ons doen goede resultaten hebben behaald,” he reflected. His friendship with Joshua Zirkzee helped him secure a memorable souvenir—Musiala’s shirt.
The Verdict from the Camp
Kevin Felida, on his World Cup experience:
“Het was een fantastische ervaring… Ik denk dat ik het nog een plekje moet geven. Het is mooi dat wij daar hebben mogen staan en voor ons doen goede resultaten hebben behaald.”
Kevin Felida, on not playing at the World Cup:
“Ik ben ook gewoon een prof en wil altijd spelen. Ik heb er moeite mee gehad dat ik niet heb gespeeld, maar uiteindelijk is het een mooie ervaring. Dit is niet voor iedereen weggelegd. Ik heb er uiteindelijk wel gestaan. Of ik had willen spelen? Tuurlijk. Of ik dankbaar mag zijn? Zeker!”
Kevin Felida, on swapping shirts with Musiala:
“Ik heb het shirtje van Musiala mogen bemachtigen, dus dat is mooi. Dat is geen kleine speler. Mijn beste vriend (Joshua Zirkzee) kent hem goed en ik zei al voor de wedstrijd tegen hem: laat even aan Musiala weten dat ik zijn shirtje wil. Uiteindelijk is hij zijn woord nagekomen.”
FC Den Bosch, on Felida's return:
Felida returned to the club on July 19, 2025, signing a contract until 2027.
Where Next?
Kevin Felida is 26 years old and in the prime of his career. He is established at FC Den Bosch as captain and a key player.
For Curaçao, he represents depth in the midfield and will be a valuable squad member for future tournaments. His World Cup experience, even in a limited role, will be invaluable for his development.
For FC Den Bosch, he is the club captain and a leader on and off the pitch. His 34 appearances in the 2025-26 season demonstrate his importance to the club. With his contract running until 2027, he will be central to the club’s ambitions.
His career trajectory is remarkable—from the FC Den Bosch academy to the Eredivisie, from a return to his boyhood club to the World Cup stage. He has earned his place through consistent performance, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to his craft.
The boy from the Netherlands who chose to represent his parents’ homeland has become a FC Den Bosch captain, a Curaçao international, and a World Cup participant. Kevin Felida’s journey is a story of loyalty, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence on football’s greatest stage.
