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Curaçao Qualifies for 2026 World Cup, Set to Be Smallest Nation Ever at Finals

A Netherlands-rooted squad led by 78-year-old Dick Advocaat clinched the berth on an unbeaten run capped by a 0-0 in Kingston.

Overview

  • The 0-0 draw against Jamaica on the final matchday confirmed Curaçao’s direct place and sent Jamaica to the intercontinental playoff.
  • Curaçao topped CONCACAF’s Final Round Group B with 12 points from three wins and three draws without a loss.
  • With about 169,000 residents, the island is on track to be the least populous nation to play at a World Cup, surpassing Iceland’s 2018 benchmark.
  • Only one squad member, Tahith Chong, was born on the island, with most players qualifying through Dutch ties within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
  • Transfermarkt values Curaçao’s roster at roughly €26.3 million, a little over half Jamaica’s estimated value, highlighting the scale of the qualification.