Curaçao becomes smallest nation ever to reach FIFA World Cup

In a stunning rewrite of the sporting history books, Curaçao has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, officially becoming the smallest nation by population to ever reach the tournament finals.

The tiny Caribbean island, known as "The Blue Wave," secured their ticket to the expanded 48-team tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico following a nail-biting conclusion to the Concacaf qualifying campaign.

The historic feat was sealed in Kingston, where Curaçao ground out a tense 0-0 draw against Jamaica. 

Needing to avoid defeat to progress, the visitors produced a gritty, defensive masterclass. They withstood relentless pressure from the Jamaican attack to claim the single point needed to top Group B with 12 points—just one ahead of their opponents.

Remarkably, Curaçao navigated the entire qualifying campaign without a single loss. Their journey included a massive 7-0 victory over Bermuda and consistent resilience, even in the absence of veteran Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, who missed the final match due to family reasons.

Curaçao’s qualification is a statistical marvel. With a landmass of just 444 square kilometers and a population of approximately 156,000, they have eclipsed the record previously held by Iceland.

This achievement is even more impressive considering the nation only became a FIFA member in 2010 following the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles.

What's next?

The football world now turns its eyes to December 5, when the World Cup draw will take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. There, Curaçao, Haiti, and Panama will discover their group-stage opponents for the tournament of their lives.