Curacao: The Smallest Nation in History to Reach the 2026 World Cup
Manasi Pathak
With a population of just over 150,000, Curacao has become the smallest nation ever to qualify for a FIFA World Cup. Their fairytale run through CONCACAF qualifying earned them a spot at the 2026 tournament, where they will face Germany, Ecuador and Ivory Coast. The Blue Wave have defied all odds, rising from 150th in the FIFA rankings to 82nd and securing their place in history.
The tiny island of Curacao, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with an area of just 443 km² and a population of over 150,000, will officially become the least populous nation in history to appear at a FIFA World Cup when the 2026 tournament kicks off on June 11.
The Curacao national team, nicknamed the 'Blue Wave', have written a fairytale story in CONCACAF qualifying to earn their first ever ticket to world football's greatest show. They will be one of four debutants at the 2026 World Cup.
An Unbelievable Qualifying Journey
Curacao navigated two challenging qualifying rounds to reach the World Cup. The team played 10 matches, winning seven and finishing the campaign undefeated.
The journey began in the second round of CONCACAF qualifying, where they successively defeated Barbados, Aruba, Saint Lucia and Haiti, scoring 15 goals in an unbeaten run.
In the third and final qualifying round, Curacao were drawn in Group B alongside heavyweights Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and Bermuda. They drew 0-0 with Trinidad & Tobago away, beat Bermuda 3-2 at home, and then defeated Jamaica 2-0 on home soil.
In the decisive match against Jamaica in November 2025, goalkeeper Eloy Room and a resilient defense kept a clean sheet in a dramatic 0-0 draw. In stoppage time, Jamaica were awarded a penalty, but VAR overturned the decision – a crucial turning point that secured Curacao's place.
“This is a dream come true,” winger Kenji Gorre told The Guardian. “It's unbelievable that a small island of 150,000 people can reach the highest level of world football.”
The previous record was held by Iceland in 2018 with a population of around 350,000. Curacao surpassed this record thanks to the 2026 World Cup being expanded to 48 teams.
A Remarkable Rise in the FIFA Rankings
Ten years ago, Curacao were ranked 150th in the world. They have now climbed to 82nd place – an astonishing leap.
Inheriting the legacy of the Netherlands Antilles, Curacao officially began competing as an independent nation in 2010. They reached the knockout stage of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2019 (losing to the United States in the quarter-finals) and narrowly missed qualifying for the 2022 World Cup before being eliminated by Panama in the final qualifying round.
World Cup 2026 Opponents
Curacao are drawn in Group E alongside former champions Germany, Ecuador and Ivory Coast. All of their matches will be played in the United States.
- June 14: Germany vs Curacao – Houston Stadium
- June 20: Ecuador vs Curacao – Kansas City Stadium
- June 25: Curacao vs Ivory Coast – Philadelphia Stadium
A Turbulent Coaching Bench
Veteran Dutch coach Dick Advocaat led Curacao to the World Cup, calling it 'the craziest thing' in his nearly 40-year career. However, he resigned due to his daughter's serious illness.
His replacement, Fred Rutten, also left the post just one month before the tournament after players and sponsors called for Advocaat's return. A day later, Advocaat returned and became the oldest coach in World Cup history at 78 years of age.
Players to Watch
Forward Gervane Kastaneer was the top scorer in qualifying with five goals in six matches. Rangelo Janga, the team's all-time leading scorer with 21 goals, also netted a hat-trick against Barbados.
Notably, the majority of Curacao's squad were born in the Netherlands but have family roots on the Caribbean island. Midfielder Juninho Bacuna previously played for Dutch youth teams and chose to represent Curacao in 2019 to play alongside his brother Leandro. Tahith Chong, a product of the Manchester United academy, is the only player born on the island.
Preparation and Challenges Ahead
Curacao lost 2-0 to China and 5-1 to Australia in friendly matches in March. They will play a friendly against Scotland in Glasgow in May before traveling to the United States.
Despite facing giants like Germany (four-time champions), Curacao can spring surprises, having scored 28 goals and conceded only five in their 10 qualifying matches. “Usually at world or continental championships, there are always surprises. And why shouldn't it be us this year,” coach Rutten once declared.
Curacao fans are full of hope to see their team create a miracle on football's biggest stage.
