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Curacao become smallest nation to qualify for World Cup

Curacao players and fans celebrate qualification after a 0-0 draw with Jamaica
Curacao players and fans celebrate qualification after a 0-0 draw with Jamaica

Dutch Caribbean island nation Curacao has become the smallest nation by population to qualify for a World Cup after salvaging a 0-0 draw with Jamaica on the final day of CONCACAF qualifying.

The country went undefeated throughout their qualification campaign to top Group B with 12 points, joining Panama and Haiti in booking their World Cup ticket.

Curacao scraped through their meeting with Jamaica despite missing head coach Dick Advocaat for the fixture.

Jamaica's head coach British Steve McClaren watches from the sidelines during the World Cup qualifier football match between Jamaica and Curacao at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica on November 18, 2025. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP)
Jamaica boss Steve McClaren resigned after the game

The 78-year-old former Rangers and Sunderland boss missed the match due to personal reasons.

The nation carries a land mass of 444 square kilometres and boasts a population of less than 157,000.

Iceland previously held the record as the smallest country to reach the World Cup when - under the guidance of current Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson - they qualified for the tournament in Russia in 2018.

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