Curaçao has become the smallest nation by population to ever qualify for the World Cup, setting a new record in the history of the competition after tying Jamaica in their final qualifier on Tuesday. The victory, which resulted in a 0-0 draw, secured Curaçao’s place in the tournament, making it the first country with such a small population to participate in the prestigious event.
Throughout the qualifying tournament, Curaçao remained undefeated, earning them the top position in Group B with 12 points. This achievement is particularly notable given that they were without their head coach, Dick Advocaat, who was in the Netherlands for family reasons and could not be present for the decisive match. Despite the absence, the team’s performance demonstrated their strong resilience and determination.
With a population of approximately 156,115, Curaçao now takes the mantle of the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup. Previously, the record was held by Iceland, which had a population of 352,000 when it qualified for the 2018 World Cup. Curaçao’s success has brought international attention to the team and the country, emphasizing its rising prominence in the global football landscape.
Other nations that have also qualified for the World Cup with small populations include Cape Verde, which made its debut in the competition for the first time in the nation’s history. With this achievement, Curaçao’s qualification is a testament to the team’s hard work and the nation’s growing influence in international sports.