Overview
- Curaçao clinched qualification with a 0-0 draw in Kingston, finishing above Jamaica to win its group.
- Haiti secured first place by defeating Nicaragua 2-0, returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1974.
- The island of roughly 156,000 people becomes the smallest territory ever to reach the tournament, surpassing Iceland’s 2018 mark.
- Curaçao completed qualifying unbeaten over 10 matches under Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, whose family emergency kept him from the decisive game.
- Forty-two teams are now confirmed for 2026, with Curaçao in Pot 4 for the Dec. 5 draw in Washington and six places set to be settled in March playoffs.