Curaçao, a tiny Caribbean island nation with a population of just over 156,000, has done the unthinkable: it has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a dramatic and unforgettable qualifying campaign, this close-knit island has captured the world’s imagination and rewritten football history. By earning its spot on football’s biggest stage, Curaçao has become the smallest country by population ever to play in a men’s World Cup.
The Lovable “Underdog” Story
Curaçao’s journey to the 2026 tournament was nothing short of remarkable. With only 156,115 inhabitants, according to national statistics, the island punched well above its weight.
Prior to its qualification, no other nation with such a small population had ever reached the World Cup finals; even Iceland, which had held the record, had more than twice as many people when it qualified in 2018.
In the final round of CONCACAF qualifying, Curaçao was drawn into a group that included Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Bermuda.
Facing tests at both home and away fixtures, the Blue Wave remained steadfast throughout. Their campaign was defined not by individual flair alone, but by discipline, resilience, and unity — traits that served them well when it mattered most.
The Decisive Moment
The decisive night arrived in Kingston, where Curaçao needed only a draw against Jamaica to seal their World Cup berth. Under intense pressure and relentless attacking from the hosts, the islanders defended with resolve.
The game reached a critical point late on when Jamaica was awarded a penalty in stoppage time. But after a VAR review, the decision was overturned — a dramatic twist that ensured Curaçao held on for a 0–0 draw.
That single point was enough. Curaçao finished on top of their group with 12 points and remained unbeaten throughout the qualifying campaign.
The tension, the high stakes, and eventually, the euphoria back on the island: these were the ingredients of a modern-day fairy tale.
The Role of Dick Advocaat
A big part of this success story is down to the guidance of Dick Advocaat, the veteran Dutch coach who took over the national team in early 2024.
At 78 years old, Advocaat brings decades of experience and a demanding but structured approach. Under his leadership, the Curaçao squad has become more organized, more confident, and more competitive.
Advocaat’s influence reached beyond tactics. He helped foster a winning mentality, bringing in players of Curaçaoan descent born and raised in the Netherlands.
That diaspora has been vital: many of the team’s most crucial players come from overseas, and Advocaat was instrumental in bridging the gap between heritage and opportunity.
A Nation’s Pride
For the people of Curaçao, this moment holds tremendous symbolic value. Despite their small size — both in population and land area — they have proven that passion and ambition can upend conventional expectations.
Their footballing identity may be young: Curaçao has only been competing under its own name since the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles more than a decade ago. Yet in a few short years, they have transformed into a symbol of pride, aspiration, and possibility.
Significance
The 2026 World Cup, which will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is the first to expand to 48 teams, and Curaçao’s qualification is a vivid illustration of how the tournament’s new format can empower smaller nations.
Moreover, Curaçao’s success joins the story of other underdog nations. Alongside Panama and Haiti — both of which also secured spots — the island’s place in the global spotlight underscores the growing competitiveness in the CONCACAF region.
We Can’t Wait to See Them Compete
As the World Cup draws closer, anticipation is building on the island. Curaçao will make its historic debut in one of sport’s grandest arenas, carrying the hopes of its citizens and the inspiration of future generations.
With Dick Advocaat still at the helm, and a committed squad that understands what this qualification means, the team is not just there to participate, they want to compete.
Curaçao’s story is a powerful reminder that in football, heart often matters as much as size. Their journey to the 2026 World Cup is not just a triumph of talent, but a testament to what can be achieved when belief, strategy, and collective will come together.
For a nation of only over 156,000 people, theirs is now a name that will echo on the world stage for the first time.
