Curaçao becomes smallest nation to qualify for 2026 World Cup

Curacao has made history as the smallest country ever to qualify for the FIFA World Cup after securing a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Jamaica in Kingston on Tuesday.

With a population of just 156,000, the tiny Caribbean nation held off intense second-half pressure from the Reggae Boyz to earn the crucial point needed to book their place at the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The draw sealed a remarkable qualifying campaign for the “Blue Wave,” who topped Group B with 12 points from six matches, finishing one point ahead of Jamaica.

Curacao now becomes the smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup, surpassing Iceland, who qualified in 2018 with a population of about 350,000.