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KINGSTON, Jamaica, Nov 26 (Alliance News): The tiny Caribbean nation of Curaçao has made football history by qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming the smallest country by population ever to earn a place at the tournament.
With just around 156,000 people, the autonomous Dutch territory has surpassed Iceland’s record, which previously held the distinction after qualifying for the 2018 World Cup with a population of just over 350,000.
Curaçao sealed its historic qualification after grinding out a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Jamaica on Tuesday, finishing top of a four-team group that also included Trinidad and Tobago and Bermuda.
The team, relying heavily on players born and raised in the Netherlands, maximized FIFA’s eligibility rules to recruit talent from its diaspora, successfully switching the allegiance of several former Dutch youth internationals — including five since August.
Defender Joshua Brenet even represented the Netherlands in a World Cup qualifier in 2016 before committing to Curaçao.
Among the few squad members born on the island is forward Tahith Chong, a former Manchester United youth player.
The team has been guided by veteran Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, who at 78 is set to lead a team at the World Cup for the third time. Advocate previously coached the Netherlands to the quarterfinals at the 1994 World Cup and managed South Korea in 2006.
Although he missed the decisive match in Jamaica due to family reasons, his side survived a tense encounter in Kingston, with Jamaica hitting the woodwork three times and seeing a stoppage-time penalty overturned after a VAR review.
Curaçao’s qualification comes in the first expanded 48-team edition of the tournament, hosted across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The squad includes players from clubs across Europe, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, including Rotherham in England’s third tier, Bandırmaspor in Turkey’s second division, and Abha in the Saudi league.
The Caribbean region will be well represented in 2026. Curaçao will be joined by Panama and Haiti, both of which clinched their spots on Tuesday.
Panama defeated El Salvador 3-0 to secure their second World Cup appearance, while Haiti stunned regional rivals after beating Nicaragua 2-0 to top a group that included Honduras and 2014 quarterfinalist Costa Rica. Haiti last played at a World Cup in 1974.
Tuesday’s results also confirmed the six teams that will compete in the intercontinental playoffs set to take place in Mexico in March.
