“From a small Caribbean island to the global football stage, history is made.”
Curaçao has become the smallest nation ever to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, following a 0–0 draw against Jamaica. The result allowed them to finish top of CONCACAF Group B, remaining undefeated throughout the qualifying campaign.
With a population of just over 156,000, Curaçao surpasses Iceland as the tiniest country to reach football’s biggest stage. The team, led by coach Dick Advocaat, includes several players born in the Netherlands with Curaçaoan roots. Advocaat missed the decisive match due to personal reasons, but the players rose to the occasion.
This historic achievement marks Curaçao’s first-ever World Cup qualification. They will join Haiti and Panama as the three CONCACAF teams advancing to the 2026 tournament, which will be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Fans and commentators have hailed this milestone as “inspiring” and a “miracle” for a small footballing nation. The achievement reflects the talent, determination, and commitment of Curaçao’s players and coaching staff.