Willimstad (Curaçao): Curaçao has made history by becoming the country with the smallest population ever to qualify for the World Cup. With just 156,000 residents, it surpasses Iceland’s previous record of qualifying in 2018, which had a population of over 350,000.
In the final match of the CONCACAF qualifying round, Curaçao secured this historic achievement by drawing 0-0 against Jamaica. They finished at the top of Group B with 12 points, remaining unbeaten.
This qualification marks a significant milestone for Caribbean football, showcasing the progress of a small nation on the global sports stage. Curaçao’s journey to the World Cup has been guided by experienced Dutch coach Dick Advocaat. It is also noteworthy that Curaçao became a FIFA member only in 2010, after the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles. Along with Curaçao, Haiti and Panama have also qualified for the expanded 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.