CORNERFLICK
Susan Horman, the head physician of the Curaçao national football team, is currently the only woman among the chief medical officers of the 48 teams participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, reaching this position was not the result of a lifelong dream or a carefully planned career path. Horman admits that as a teenager, she never envisioned becoming a doctor. Like many young people, she was unsure about her future and had a wide range of interests. Because she performed well academically and had the opportunity to enter medical school in the Netherlands, she decided to give medicine a try—a decision that would eventually shape her entire professional life.
Her entry into the world of football was equally unexpected. While working in a hospital, a trauma surgeon colleague suggested that she assist a Dutch football club. Although she had never imagined working in football, she accepted the opportunity. Things progressed rapidly, and within a short time she became responsible for the club’s medical department. Her success opened the door to positions at larger clubs, including PSV Eindhoven, where she further developed her expertise in sports medicine.
In 2019, when Real Madrid acquired Club Tacón and began building its women’s football program, Horman joined the organization as a medical consultant. A year later, she became more deeply involved with the club and worked within Real Madrid’s renowned training complex, Valdebebas. She describes the facilities there as a dream environment for sports medicine professionals. The club provided access to cutting-edge resources, including advanced medical equipment located directly beside the training grounds, allowing for immediate diagnosis and treatment of injuries. Working at Real Madrid gave her invaluable experience and opportunities to collaborate with both the women’s and men’s teams.
Despite her accomplishments, Horman frequently encountered gender-based barriers throughout her career. She recalls being told many times that women were not welcome in certain positions within men’s football and that she could not work with first-team squads simply because of her gender. Rather than becoming discouraged, she focused on maintaining high professional standards and letting her work speak for itself. She believes that dedication, competence, and persistence ultimately create new opportunities, even when doors initially appear closed.
Her journey to the Curaçao national team also began unexpectedly. After Curaçao qualified for the World Cup, the team’s previous doctor was unable to continue because of family circumstances. Horman was recommended as a replacement and, after learning more about the team and its environment, accepted the role. Today, she oversees the medical services of the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup.
Although being the only woman among the tournament’s chief team physicians is a remarkable achievement, Horman views it as a normal part of her professional life, having spent most of her career in male-dominated environments. Nevertheless, she believes that sharing stories like hers is essential because they inspire younger generations. She hopes that increasing visibility for women in football will help break down remaining barriers and create more opportunities for women in leadership, medical, and coaching positions across the sport.