Curaçao played to a 0-0 draw against Jamaica on Tuesday, making it the smallest nation by population to qualify for the World Cup. Along with Panama and Haiti from CONCACAF, Curaçao has secured a spot in the tournament.
Curaçao emerged as the only unbeaten team in the competition, topping Group B with 12 points and achieving qualification for the World Cup for the first time ever.
This notable achievement came even in the absence of coach Dick Advocaat, who had to return to the Netherlands for family reasons prior to this crucial match. Advocaat, 78, has previously managed the Dutch national team during three separate terms and has also coached teams from South Korea, Belgium, and Russia.
According to Curaçao’s Central Bureau of Statistics, the population of the country stood at 156,115 as of January last year. Prior to Curaçao, Iceland held the record as the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup, with a population of just over 350,000, achieving its spot in the 2018 tournament in Russia.
Associated Press reported.
Want great articles delivered straight to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account to receive personalized newsletters daily.
Fan Take: This milestone for Curaçao is a refreshing reminder of soccer’s global appeal, showcasing how talent can emerge from even the smallest nations. It’s a significant win for underdog teams everywhere and could inspire future generations of players in the Caribbean and beyond.
