PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jearl Erwin Margaritha |
| Date of Birth | 10 April 2000 (Age: 26) |
| Place of Birth | Groningen, Netherlands |
| Nationality | Curaçao (born in Netherlands to Curaçaoan heritage) |
| Height | 1.81 m / 5 ft 11 in |
| Weight | 73 kg |
| Position | Left Winger / Forward |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #17 |
| Current Club | SK Beveren |
| Previous Clubs | VV Hoogeveen, Almere City, TOP Oss, Sabah, Phoenix Rising FC |
| International Caps | 17+ |
| International Goals | 5 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | June 2028 |
| Market Value | €645.3K (peak) |
The Frozen Moment
The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America represented the pinnacle of Jearl Margaritha’s international journey. The 26-year-old forward, born in the Netherlands to Curaçaoan heritage, was named in Dick Advocaat’s 26-man squad for Curaçao’s historic World Cup debut. Margaritha was part of the attacking unit that included Jurgen Locadia and Tahith Chong.
Margaritha featured in Curaçao’s World Cup campaign, making two substitute appearances and accumulating 39 minutes of tournament football. He played 25 minutes against Germany, earning a 5.8 FotMob rating, and 14 minutes against Ecuador, earning a 6.0 rating. He was an unused substitute in the match against Côte d’Ivoire. Curaçao were eliminated in the group stage.
Despite the limited minutes, Margaritha’s presence at the tournament was the culmination of a remarkable journey from the Dutch fifth division to the global stage—proof that opportunity and perseverance can overcome even the most humble beginnings.
Origins
Jearl Erwin Margaritha was born on 10 April 2000 in Groningen, Netherlands. He holds Dutch nationality but is eligible to represent Curaçao through his heritage. He stands at 1.81 metres and is right-footed.
His football journey began in the youth academies of Groningen (2011-2014) and FC Emmen (2015-2019), with a brief spell at GVAV Rapiditas. He made his senior debut for Dutch fifth division side VV Hoogeveen in the 2019-20 season.
The Professional Forge
VV Hoogeveen (2019-2020):
Margaritha began his senior career in the Dutch fifth division with VV Hoogeveen. He made 13 appearances and scored 11 goals, demonstrating his goalscoring instinct at a young age. His performances earned him a move to professional football.
Almere City (2020-2021):
On 9 January 2020, Margaritha signed with Almere City in the Eerste Divisie. He made nine league appearances, scoring one goal. On 6 September 2020, he scored his first professional goal in a 6-4 victory over Excelsior.
TOP Oss (2021-2023):
On 4 August 2021, Margaritha joined Eerste Divisie club TOP Oss. Over two seasons, he made 63 league appearances and scored 19 goals. His time at Oss established him as a consistent goalscorer in the Dutch second tier.
Sabah (2023-2024):
On 29 June 2023, Margaritha signed for Azerbaijan Premier League club Sabah on a contract until June 2027. He made 18 appearances for the club without scoring. The move proved to be a challenging chapter in his career.
Phoenix Rising FC (2024-2025):
On 16 August 2024, Margaritha signed with Phoenix Rising FC in the USL Championship. He made 20 appearances, scoring 5 goals, helping rebuild his confidence and form.
SK Beveren (2025-Present):
On 4 August 2025, Margaritha signed a three-year deal with Belgian Challenger Pro League side SK Beveren. In the 2025-26 season, he made 32 appearances (29 starts), playing 2,378 minutes. He recorded 7 goals and 12 assists, with an average FotMob rating of 7.52. His 0.45 assists per 90 ranked in the 99th percentile, and his 0.71 goal involvements per 90 ranked in the 98th percentile. He also recorded an expected goals (xG) of 10.72 and expected assists (xA) of 10.88. His market value reached a peak of €645.3K.
International Career
Youth & Debut:
Margaritha was called up to a Curaçao training camp by Guus Hiddink in November 2020. He made his senior debut on 7 September 2023 in a 1-0 defeat to Trinidad and Tobago.
Gold Cup & Goals:
He was named in Curaçao’s squad for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. His first international goal came on 15 November 2024 in a 5-0 victory over Saint Martin, where he scored four goals. He has earned 17 caps and scored 5 international goals.
2026 World Cup Campaign:
Margaritha was named in Curaçao’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup on 17 May 2026. He made two substitute appearances at the tournament: 25 minutes against Germany (14 June 2026, rating 5.8) and 14 minutes against Ecuador (21 June 2026, rating 6.0). He was an unused substitute against Côte d’Ivoire. Curaçao were eliminated in the group stage.
International Record:
Margaritha has earned 17 caps for Curaçao and scored 5 international goals.
The Anatomy of His Game
Margaritha is a right-footed left winger known for his creativity, pace, and ability to contribute both goals and assists. He can also operate as a striker or right winger.
In Possession:
Margaritha is a creative force in wide areas. In the 2025-26 First Division B season, he recorded 7 goals and 12 assists in 32 appearances. His 0.45 assists per 90 ranked in the 99th percentile, his 0.71 goal involvements per 90 ranked in the 98th percentile, and his 0.40 expected goals (xG) per 90 ranked in the 91st percentile. His 78 shots taken in the season reflect his willingness to attack goal.
Out of Possession:
Margaritha contributes defensively with his work rate. He has been compared to other attacking midfielders and wingers in his defensive contributions, though his defensive contributions rank in the 10th percentile.
Psychological Edge:
Margaritha’s journey is defined by perseverance. He rose from the Dutch fifth division to the World Cup through a career of steady progression across multiple leagues. His decision to represent Curaçao—his heritage—over the Netherlands has been rewarded with 17 caps and a World Cup appearance.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: 2025/26 Season Snapshot (SK Beveren)
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Rating | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Division B | 32 | 29 | 2,378 | 7 | 12 | 7.52 | 1 |
TABLE B: 2026 World Cup Snapshot
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | FotMob Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 2 | 0 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 5.8–6.0 |
TABLE C: Career (League Only)
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| VV Hoogeveen | 2019-2020 | 13 | 11 |
| Almere City | 2020-2021 | 9 | 1 |
| TOP Oss | 2021-2023 | 63 | 19 |
| Sabah | 2023-2024 | 18 | 0 |
| Phoenix Rising FC | 2024-2025 | 20 | 5 |
| SK Beveren | 2025-Present | 32 | 7 |
| TOTAL | — | 155 | 43 |
TABLE D: International Record
| Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Career | 17 | 5 |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 2 | 0 |
| CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025 | — | — |
| World Cup Qualifying | — | — |
What these figures reveal is a player who has steadily built his career across multiple leagues and found significant success in Belgium. His 12 assists in the 2025-26 First Division B season demonstrate his creative quality, placing him in the 99th percentile for assists. His 17 caps and World Cup selection reflect his importance to the Curaçao national team.
The Present Tense
Jearl Margaritha is 26 years old and at a defining stage of his career. He is a forward for SK Beveren in the Belgian Challenger Pro League and a World Cup squad member for Curaçao.
The SK Beveren Story:
Margaritha joined Beveren in August 2025 on a three-year deal. In the 2025-26 season, he was one of the most creative players in the First Division B, recording 7 goals and 12 assists in 32 appearances. His contract with Beveren runs until June 2028.
The World Cup Campaign:
Margaritha was named in Curaçao’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. He made two substitute appearances at the tournament—25 minutes against Germany and 14 minutes against Ecuador. Curaçao were eliminated in the group stage.
International Record:
Margaritha has earned 17 caps for Curaçao since his debut in 2023. He has scored 5 international goals, including four in a single match against Saint Martin on 15 November 2024.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Margaritha’s journey is defined by perseverance and steady progression. He rose from the Dutch fifth division with VV Hoogeveen to professional football with Almere City. His career has taken him through the Netherlands, Azerbaijan, the United States, and Belgium—a testament to his adaptability.
His name is notable in Groningen, where he is one of three city natives selected for Curaçao’s World Cup squad, alongside brothers Leandro and Juninho Bacuna. His Dutch heritage and Curaçaoan roots have shaped his international career—a player who chose to represent his ancestral homeland and achieved the dream of playing in a World Cup.
The Verdict from the Camp
FIFA World Cup 2026 Squad Announcement:
“Target forwards Jurgen Locadia and Jearl Margaritha have ample experience, while Gervane Kastaneer and Kenji Gorre combined for eight goals in qualifying.”
Curaçao Media:
“Drie stad-Groningers maken deel uit van de selectie van Curaçao voor het wereldkampioenschap voetbal… Jearl Margaritha.” (Three city of Groningen players are part of Curaçao’s World Cup selection… Jearl Margaritha.)
Where Next?
Jearl Margaritha is 26 years old and under contract with SK Beveren until June 2028. His World Cup experience, though brief, has elevated his profile. His 12 assists in the 2025-26 season have demonstrated his creative quality at the Belgian level. He is expected to continue as a key player for Beveren.
For Curaçao, Margaritha is an important attacking option. With 17 caps and 5 international goals, he has proven his ability at the international level. At 26, he is entering his prime years and is expected to be a regular fixture in the national team setup for the foreseeable future.
From Groningen to Hoogeveen, from Almere to Oss, from Azerbaijan to the United States, from Belgium to the World Cup, Jearl Margaritha’s journey is a story of perseverance, adaptability, and opportunity. The boy from the Dutch fifth division who rose to the global stage is now a World Cup player—and a symbol of Curaçao’s remarkable rise.
