Curaçao made history by becoming the smallest nation by population to ever qualify for the World Cup, achieving an undefeated record in the qualifying tournament. The island nation secured its historic qualification after tying Jamaica in a 0-0 draw on Tuesday night. The result solidified Curaçao’s position as the top team in Group B with 12 points, making them the only undefeated team in the tournament. This milestone was celebrated as a major achievement for the Caribbean nation, which has a population of approximately 156,115 people, making it the smallest country by population to ever make it to the World Cup. The previous record was held by Iceland, which qualified for the 2018 World Cup with a population of 352,000.
Despite the absence of head coach Dick Advocaat, who was in the Netherlands for family reasons and therefore unavailable for the match, the team remained focused and delivered a strong performance. Curaçao’s qualification is a testament to the dedication of its players and coaches, who have worked tirelessly to achieve this historic feat. The team’s success has been widely celebrated across the country, with citizens expressing pride and excitement over the achievement. The match against Jamaica not only marked Curaçao’s entry into the World Cup but also set a new benchmark for small nations in international football.
The achievement has also drawn attention from other nations, particularly Cape Verde, which also qualified for the World Cup for the first time in its history. Cape Verde, with a population of around 570,000, is the third-smallest nation competing in the tournament. The qualification of both Curaçao and Cape Verde highlights the growing presence of smaller countries in international soccer, despite the challenges they face in securing a place in the global competition. The event also coincided with news of President Trump’s announcement of a ‘FIFA Pass’ visa system for World Cup fans heading to the United States in 2026, further emphasizing the global reach and popularity of the tournament.
Curaçao’s qualification is a landmark moment in the nation’s sports history, and its players are now looking forward to the next challenge of representing their country on the world stage. The team’s success is a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes in small nations, demonstrating that with determination and focus, even the smallest countries can achieve global recognition. As the World Cup prepares to kick off, Curaçao’s historic qualification will be remembered as a defining moment in the country’s journey in international soccer.