Curacao has made history as the smallest country to qualify for a FIFA World Cup after securing a 0-0 draw against Jamaica in Kingston on Tuesday.
The Caribbean nation, with a population of just 156,000, held off a strong second-half challenge from the Jamaican team, known as the Reggae Boyz, to earn the crucial point needed to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup, set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The result capped a remarkable qualifying campaign for the Curacao national team, nicknamed the “Blue Wave,” who finished top of Group B with 12 points from six matches, one point ahead of Jamaica.
Curacao now holds the record as the smallest nation ever to reach the World Cup finals. Previously, Iceland held the distinction when it qualified in 2018 with a population of roughly 350,000.
The team joins Haiti, returning to the tournament after 52 years, and Panama in next year’s expanded 48-team World Cup.
