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Curaçao Qualifies for First World Cup by Winning CONCACAF Group B

With a diaspora-heavy squad, the island nation of roughly 170,000 becomes the least-populated team ever to reach a World Cup.

Overview

  • Curaçao clinched a direct 2026 berth with a 0–0 draw away to Jamaica on the final matchday, finishing Group B on 12 points.
  • Jamaica was pushed into the intercontinental playoff as Curaçao completed the final round unbeaten with three wins and three draws.
  • Head coach Dick Advocaat steered the team through perfect second-round results before the undefeated third-round campaign.
  • The roster is built largely from Netherlands-born players eligible through Kingdom ties, with Tahith Chong the lone Curaçao-born member cited in reports.
  • Midfielder Leandro Bacuna is the national team’s leading scorer and plays for Bandırmaspor, while record caps holder Cuco Martina is no longer in current call-ups.