PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Brandley Mack-Olien Kuwas |
| Date of Birth | 19 September 1992 (Age: 33) |
| Place of Birth | Hoorn, Netherlands |
| Nationality | Curaçao (sporting) / Dutch (birth) |
| Height | 1.78–1.81 m / 5 ft 10 in |
| Weight | 77–83 kg |
| Position | Attacking Midfielder / Right Winger / Forward |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Squad Number | #10 (Volendam), #17 (Curaçao) |
| Current Club | FC Volendam |
| Previous Clubs | KFC Koog aan de Zaan, Volendam, Excelsior, Heracles Almelo, Al-Nasr, Al-Jazira (loan), Maccabi Tel Aviv, Giresunspor |
| International Caps | 31 |
| International Goals | 2 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | — |
| Market Value | €428.8K |
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 Brandley Kuwas, the journey to the global stage had been one of the most remarkable stories of the tournament—a Dutch-born winger who had once been on the radar of the Netherlands national team, who had chosen to represent his ancestral homeland, and who had finally achieved his lifelong dream at the age of 33.
When Curaçao’s 26-man squad was announced on May 18, 2026, Kuwas was among the forwards selected. It was the culmination of a career that had seen him play for eight clubs across five countries, score over 60 goals in more than 450 appearances, and win titles in the Netherlands, the UAE, and Israel.
Kuwas featured in Curaçao’s World Cup campaign, making a substitute appearance in the match against Ivory Coast on June 25, 2026. The moment was fleeting, but the significance was immense. “Want het WK, dat is natuurlijk een jongensdroom,” he had said before the tournament. “Het vuurtje om dat te halen is altijd aangebleven.”
The boy from Hoorn who had been told by Danny Blind that he was competing with Steven Berghuis for a place in the Dutch national team, who had been overlooked for Oranje, who had chosen Curaçao instead, had finally arrived on football’s greatest stage. From Koog aan de Zaan to the World Cup, Brandley Kuwas’s journey was complete.
Origins
Brandley Mack-Olien Kuwas was born on September 19, 1992, in Hoorn, Netherlands. His footballing journey began in the Dutch youth system, where he played for Hellas Sport (until 2004), AZ Alkmaar (2004-2007), Hellas Sport (2007-2009), and KFC Koog aan de Zaan (2009-2012).
His senior career began at KFC Koog aan de Zaan in 2009, where he played until 2012. In 2012, he moved to FC Volendam, marking the beginning of his professional career.
Kuwas’s international career began when he chose to represent Curaçao, the country of his heritage. He had been eligible for both the Netherlands and Curaçao, and his decision was made after being overlooked by Oranje. Before choosing Curaçao, he had been in the sights of the Dutch national team. Danny Blind, then head coach, called him and told him it was between Kuwas and Steven Berghuis for a place in the squad. Blind ultimately chose Berghuis. “Natuurlijk was ik ontzettend trots, en een keertje meetrainen was al genoeg geweest voor mij, maar het is er helaas niet van gekomen,” Kuwas recalled.
Kuwas made his debut for Curaçao in an unofficial match against Dutch club Excelsior in November 2016. He made his official international debut on March 22, 2017, in a friendly 1-1 draw against El Salvador. Since then, he has earned 31 caps and scored 2 goals for the national team.
The Forge
FC Volendam and Excelsior (2012-2016):
Kuwas’s professional career began at FC Volendam, where he made 103 league appearances and scored 15 goals across three seasons from 2012 to 2015. He then moved to Excelsior in the Eredivisie, making 34 appearances and scoring 4 goals in the 2015-16 season.
Heracles Almelo and Oranje Interest (2016-2019):
In 2016, Kuwas joined Heracles Almelo. Over three seasons, he made 96 appearances and scored 21 goals in the Eredivisie. His performances at Heracles caught the attention of the Dutch national team, and he was called by Danny Blind. He was ultimately overlooked in favor of Steven Berghuis, a decision that would shape the rest of his international career.
Middle East and Israel (2019-2022):
In 2019, Kuwas moved to Al-Nasr in the UAE Pro League, making 31 appearances and scoring 5 goals. In 2021, he was loaned to Al-Jazira, making 13 appearances and scoring 3 goals. In 2021, he moved to Maccabi Tel Aviv, making 28 appearances and scoring 3 goals. He won three titles during this period: the Pro League (2020-21) with Al-Jazira, the League Cup (2019-20) with Al-Nasr, and the Eerste Divisie (2024-25) with Volendam.
Giresunspor and Return to Volendam (2022-Present):
In 2022, Kuwas moved to Turkish club Giresunspor, making 38 league appearances, scoring 2 goals and providing 5 assists. In September 2024, he returned to FC Volendam, the club where his professional career began.
In the 2025-26 season, Kuwas made 32 league appearances (23 starts), accumulating 2,025 minutes of playing time. He scored 5 goals and provided 4 assists, with 9 goal involvements. His expected goals (xG) of 5.94 reflected his attacking threat. He received 4 yellow cards in the season.
The Anatomy of His Game
Brandley Kuwas is an attacking midfielder and winger defined by his technical ability, creativity, and left-footed quality. Standing at 1.78–1.81 meters, he combines technical ability with attacking flair.
In Possession:
Kuwas is a creative presence in the final third. He is known for his dribbling ability, set-piece delivery, and crossing. His playing style is characterized by his ability to create chances and take on defenders. In the 2025-26 Eredivisie season, he recorded 5 goals and 4 assists in 32 appearances. He is left-footed and has scored two international goals for Curaçao.
Out of Possession:
Kuwas’s defensive contributions are limited. He is primarily an attacking player who has focused on his offensive output. His defensive stats place him in lower percentiles compared to other forwards. His disciplinary record is relatively clean, with 4 yellow cards in the 2025-26 season.
Psychological Edge:
Kuwas’s mental resilience is his defining quality. From being overlooked by the Dutch national team to choosing Curaçao and achieving his World Cup dream, he has shown determination and commitment to his career. He has also expressed that despite being 33, “Ik ben 33, maar voel me 28.” His desire to continue playing and his passion for the game have been key to his longevity.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Goal Involvements | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eredivisie (Volendam) | 32 | 23 | 2,025 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 4 |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 33 | 23 | 2,026 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 4 |
Sources: Opta Analyst, FotMob, FootyStats
TABLE B: Career Overview
| Club | Season | League | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volendam | 2012-2015 | Eerste Divisie | 103 | 15 |
| Excelsior | 2015-2016 | Eredivisie | 34 | 4 |
| Heracles Almelo | 2016-2019 | Eredivisie | 96 | 21 |
| Al-Nasr | 2019-2021 | UAE Pro League | 31 | 5 |
| Al-Jazira (loan) | 2021 | UAE Pro League | 13 | 3 |
| Maccabi Tel Aviv | 2021-2022 | Israeli Premier League | 28 | 3 |
| Giresunspor | 2022-2023 | Süper Lig | 38 | 2 |
| Volendam | 2024-Present | Eredivisie | 32 | 5 |
| TOTAL | — | — | 375+ | 58 |
Sources: Wikipedia, FootyStats, Opta Analyst
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CONCACAF Nations League | — | — | — |
| World Cup Qualifiers | — | 2 | Goals vs Grenada, British Virgin Islands |
| Friendlies | — | 0 | — |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 1 | 0 | Substitute vs Ivory Coast |
| TOTAL | 31 | 2 | — |
Sources: Wikipedia, FBref
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Senior Debut | KFC Koog aan de Zaan |
| 2012 | FC Volendam Move | Professional debut |
| 2017 | Curaçao Debut | vs El Salvador |
| 2018 | First International Goal | vs Grenada |
| 2021 | Pro League Winner | Al-Jazira |
| 2025 | Eerste Divisie Winner | FC Volendam |
| 2026 | World Cup Selection | Named in Curaçao squad |
| 2026 | World Cup Appearance | Substitute vs Ivory Coast |
What these figures reveal
is a player of remarkable consistency and longevity. Kuwas has made over 375 professional appearances across eight clubs and five countries by age 33, scoring 58 goals. His 31 caps for Curaçao and his selection for the 2026 World Cup reflect his commitment to his heritage.
The Present Tense
Brandley Kuwas is 33 years old and in the veteran stage of his career. He is FC Volendam’s attacking midfielder, a Curaçao international, and a World Cup participant.
The Volendam Story:
Kuwas returned to FC Volendam in September 2024, the club where his professional career began. In the 2025-26 season, he made 32 Eredivisie appearances, scoring 5 goals and providing 4 assists. He has won the Eerste Divisie with Volendam in 2025.
The World Cup Campaign:
Kuwas was named in Curaçao’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He made a substitute appearance in the match against Ivory Coast on June 25, 2026, playing one minute. He was an unused substitute in the matches against Germany and Ecuador. Curaçao was eliminated in the group stage.
International Record:
Kuwas has earned 31 caps for Curaçao, scoring 2 goals. His international goals came against Grenada in 2018 and the British Virgin Islands in 2021. He has represented Curaçao in the CONCACAF Nations League, World Cup qualifiers, and the 2026 World Cup.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Brandley Kuwas is defined by his journey from the Dutch youth system to the World Cup stage. Born in Hoorn, he rose through the ranks of Dutch football before making the leap to the Middle East and Israel, and eventually returning to the Netherlands.
His decision to represent Curaçao was shaped by his experience with the Netherlands national team. He had been in the sights of Danny Blind, who called him and told him it was between Kuwas and Steven Berghuis for a place in the Oranje squad. Blind ultimately chose Berghuis, and Kuwas was never called up again. He has spoken about the experience: “In de media was het toen ook al behoorlijk ontploft, met mensen die riepen dat je toch geen speler van Heracles kon selecteren? Ik weet niet of dat het een rol heeft gespeeld in de keuze van de bondscoach, maar het was voor mij wel heel jammer, natuurlijk. Dat was een ongelooflijke kans geweest voor mij.”
Despite the disappointment, Kuwas has remained positive about his career. He has expressed that he is not thinking about retirement yet: “Aan afsluiten denk ik sowieso nog niet; ik ben 33, maar voel me 28. Na een wedstrijd heb ik helemaal niet het gevoel dat ik opgelapt moet worden en ga ik gewoon lekker padellen.”
The Verdict from the Camp
Brandley Kuwas, on his World Cup dream:
“Want het WK, dat is natuurlijk een jongensdroom. Het vuurtje om dat te halen is altijd aangebleven.”
Brandley Kuwas, on the Oranje call:
“Ik weet het nog goed; het was ergens in de ochtend dat mijn telefoon ging. Meneer Blind aan de lijn. In eerste instantie geloofde ik het niet, maar hij vertelde me dat hij me een interessante speler vond en dat het tussen mij en Steven Berghuis zou gaan.”
Brandley Kuwas, on being overlooked:
“In de media was het toen ook al behoorlijk ontploft, met mensen die riepen dat je toch geen speler van Heracles kon selecteren? Ik weet niet of dat het een rol heeft gespeeld in de keuze van de bondscoach, maar het was voor mij wel heel jammer, natuurlijk. Dat was een ongelooflijke kans geweest voor mij.”
Brandley Kuwas, on his fitness:
“Aan afsluiten denk ik sowieso nog niet; ik ben 33, maar voel me 28. Na een wedstrijd heb ik helemaal niet het gevoel dat ik opgelapt moet worden en ga ik gewoon lekker padellen.”
Where Next?
Brandley Kuwas is 33 years old and in the veteran stage of his career. He is established at FC Volendam, a Curaçao international, and a World Cup participant.
For Curaçao, he is a veteran presence and a key player in the squad. His World Cup experience has added to his international pedigree. With 31 caps, he will be a valuable squad member for future tournaments.
For FC Volendam, he is an experienced attacker and a key player in the squad. His 32 appearances in the 2025-26 season demonstrate his importance to the club. He has expressed that he is not thinking about retirement yet and wants to continue playing.
His career trajectory is remarkable—from the Dutch youth system to the Eredivisie, from the Middle East to Israel, and from his international debut to the World Cup stage. He has earned his place through consistent performance, determination, and an unwavering commitment to his craft.
The boy from Hoorn who was overlooked by Oranje has become a Curaçao international and a World Cup participant. Brandley Kuwas’s journey is a story of resilience, determination, and the pursuit of excellence on football’s greatest stage.
