Curaçao is the smallest country by population to qualify for the World Cup.

Curaçao Makes World Cup History

Curaçao achieved a remarkable feat on Tuesday, holding Jamaica to a 0-0 draw. This match marked a significant milestone as it was the first time Curaçao has qualified for the World Cup. Interestingly, it also makes Curaçao the smallest nation by population to reach this level in football history.

Throughout the qualifying tournament, Curaçao was the only team to remain undefeated, finishing first in Group B with a total of 12 points. They made this historic accomplishment even more notable as head coach Dick Advocaat was absent, having traveled to the Netherlands for personal reasons.

As of January last year, Curaçao’s population was recorded at 156,115, surpassing Iceland, which previously held the title of the smallest country to qualify for the World Cup. When Iceland participated in the 2018 World Cup, its population stood at approximately 352,000. Like Curaçao, Cape Verde is also set to mark its first appearance in the World Cup this coming tournament, despite being slightly larger in population.

It’s worth noting that this success has been a thrilling chapter in Curaçao’s football journey, reflecting not just the talent of its players but also the passion for the sport in such a small nation.