In an era where the number of teams in the FIFA World Cup has expanded, football fans around the world are witnessing an increasing number of historic achievements. Just days ago, Cape Verde, the world’s second-smallest country by population, secured a World Cup spot. Now, it’s the turn of Curaçao, a small Caribbean nation of just 444 square kilometres, to make history.
This Caribbean island nation has qualified for the 2026 World Cup, becoming the smallest country in the world ever to reach the grand stage of world football. The breakthrough came after Curaçao demolished Bermuda 7-0 in a qualifying match last Friday night in Hamilton, all but securing their place. The final seal was placed on their qualification today, after a goalless draw against Jamaica.
Tiny Island, Huge Impact
Curaçao, with a population of just 156,000, is geographically located in the Caribbean Sea, just north of Venezuela. Despite being in the South American region, the island competes in the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football) region. The island nation consists of two main islands – the Curaçao mainland and the uninhabited Little Curaçao.
Before Curaçao’s breakthrough, the title of the smallest country ever to qualify for the World Cup was held by Cape Verde, which has an area of 4,000 square kilometres. But Curaçao, at just 444 square kilometres, is now in the record books.
Impressive Qualifying Campaign
Curaçao topped their qualifying group ‘H’ in the CONCACAF region, with 12 points from 6 matches. Their record includes 3 wins and 3 draws, narrowly edging out Jamaica, who finished second with 11 points.
The qualification journey began with a goalless draw against Trinidad and Tobago. This was followed by a 3-2 victory over Bermuda, and a solid 2-0 win against Jamaica. After another 2-2 draw, Curaçao then triumphed over Bermuda in a 7-0 drubbing, before securing the decisive draw against Jamaica to confirm their World Cup berth.
Curaçao’s Football Heroes
Leading the charge for Curaçao are coach Dick Advocaat and forward Jervis Castonia. Advocaat, a highly experienced coach who has previously managed top clubs such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Rangers, and Sunderland, has been instrumental in guiding the team to this remarkable achievement. Castonia, the 26-year-old forward, has been in scintillating form during the qualifiers, scoring five goals in five matches, making him a key figure in their success.
Table of Curaçao’s World Cup Qualifying Results
| Match | Result | Opponent | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Match | Draw | Trinidad & Tobago | 0-0 |
| 2nd Match | Win | Bermuda | 3-2 |
| 3rd Match | Win | Jamaica | 2-0 |
| 4th Match | Draw | Costa Rica | 2-2 |
| 5th Match | Win | Bermuda | 7-0 |
| 6th Match | Draw | Jamaica | 0-0 |
Curaçao: A Geographical and Cultural Overview
Curaçao is located in the southern Caribbean Sea, just off the coast of Venezuela. Geographically positioned near South America, the island has close historical and cultural ties with the Dutch, which is reflected in its primary language, Dutch, alongside a rich blend of Spanish, English, and Papiamento. Despite its small size, the country boasts a passionate footballing community, and the World Cup qualification represents the pinnacle of their sporting achievements.
As one of the smallest nations in terms of both population and landmass, Curaçao’s qualification for the World Cup is nothing short of extraordinary. Their incredible rise in international football will undoubtedly inspire other small nations with big dreams, showing that size is no barrier to success in the beautiful game.