As the 2026 World Cup approaches, attention often centers on teams like France, England, and Spain. However, today we focus on the smaller nations in the tournament.
We will highlight the five smallest countries participating in this year’s World Cup based on population size, using the most recent census data for reference, which may not be completely up to date.
For context, the UK has nearly 70 million residents, while the USA has around 342 million.
Uruguay (3,499,451)
Despite winning two World Cups, Uruguay is among the smallest nations to compete at this level. With a population of fewer than 3.5 million, their success in international football is remarkable.
The squad features standout players like Federico Valverde, a key midfielder for Real Madrid. Historically, legends like Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan have also represented Uruguay, showcasing an impressive success-to-population ratio.
Bosnia & Herzegovina (3,412,000)
Bosnia & Herzegovina made headlines by qualifying for the World Cup after defeating Italy on penalties, marking a historic moment in qualifying rounds.
They previously qualified in 2014 but did not advance past the group stage. Edin Dzeko, now 40, could become one of the oldest players ever to feature in a World Cup.
Qatar (3,214,609)
As the host nation of the last World Cup, Qatar has made strides in Asian football despite lacking a strong football history. They faced struggles in 2022, losing all three group matches and scoring just one goal.
Looking forward to 2026, the nation aims to improve its performance, though competing with a population of under 3.5 million presents challenges.
Cape Verde (491,233)
With fewer than 500,000 residents, Cape Verde is the third least populated country in World Cup history. Their qualification for the tournament is an impressive achievement.
Their squad is mostly comprised of players over 30, including vice-captain Vonzinha at 39. However, young talent like 18-year-old Fabio Domingues from PSG’s academy shows promise for the future.
Curacao (155,826)
Curacao is incredibly small, with just over 150,000 inhabitants. Their journey to the 2026 World Cup is noteworthy.
A former Dutch colony, many players with Curacaoan roots have competed for the Netherlands, including Jurrien Timber and Justin Kluivert. Some players opted to represent Curacao, with several competing in the EFL, such as Rotherham United’s Ar’jany Martha.