From Awer Mabil to Brian Cipenga, via Gervane Kastaneer and Fidalgo, Castellón’s biggest World Cup yet | OneFootball

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, CD Castellón have unprecedented World Cup representation. Álvaro Fidalgo started for Mexico, Awer Mabil watched Australia from the bench, Gervane Kastaneer saw minutes for Curaçao and Brian Cipenga is awaiting his bow with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

If Cipenga plays this afternoon against Portugal, he would be the first to appear at a World Cup while contracted to Castellón. His deal ends on 30 June and his exit is widely expected. The call-up kept him out of the play-off against Almería.

Awer Mabil also missed the promotion phase. The Castellón winger previously played at Qatar 2022 with Australia.

The other two representatives are former players. Álvaro Fidalgo played at Castalia as a Spaniard, moved to Mexico and naturalised, then returned with Real Betis.

Gervane Kastaneer’s stint is more recent, at SkyFi Castalia under Dick Schreuder in the promotion season to Segunda. He came on late in Curaçao’s World Cup debut against Germany.

Castellón’s World Cup links were previously sparse. They begin in 1962 with goalkeeper Araquistain, later in the 1972 promotion, and Spain’s Gento and an injured Di Stéfano, both later coaches.

In 1966 came Gento and France’s Muller, future coaches. Next was goalkeeper Miguel Ángel, at the 1978 and 1982 finals after an early Castellón spell, alongside Saura in 1982.

In 1986 Spain had Ramón María Calderé, who later managed Castellón in Tercera. The next World Cup featured Robert Fernández, Fernando Gómez Colomer and Igor Dobrovolski of the USSR with orellut ties.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo