The Caribbean island nation of Curacao has made football history by becoming the smallest country ever to qualify for the World Cup. Their place at the global tournament was secured after a dramatic draw against Jamaica, a result that ended the qualifying hopes of Steve McClaren’s team and led to his resignation as Jamaica coach. Before Curacao’s achievement, the record for the smallest nation to reach the World Cup belonged to Iceland in 2018. Curacao, however, is far smaller, with a population just above one hundred fifty thousand and a land area of only one hundred seventy one square miles. The island is even smaller than the Isle of Man, making its qualification a remarkable moment in international football. Curacao coach Dick Advocaat did not attend the match for personal reasons, but he will set a World Cup record of his own. At seventy eight years old, he will become the oldest coach to appear at the tournament, surpassing Otto Rehhagel, who led Greece at age seventy one in 2010. Advocaat has managed several international teams over the decades and takes charge of Curacao following a dispute between players and the national football association.
Historic Moment as Curaçao Qualifies for World Cup as Smallest Nation
Curacao only gained the status of a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 2010 after the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles. Their football progress has been rapid. A decade ago the team sat at one hundred fiftieth in the FIFA world rankings. They are now ranked eighty second, reflecting their extraordinary rise. The expanded format of the 2026 World Cup, which includes forty eight teams and grants automatic qualification to the hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States, created a more open path for emerging nations like Curacao. They now join Cape Verde, Uzbekistan and Jordan as teams making their World Cup debut. Midfielder Juninho Bacuna spoke before the match about what qualifying for the World Cup would mean for the island. He called it one of the greatest moments in Curacao’s sporting history and described the feeling as unbelievable. Curacao completed their qualifying campaign unbeaten, winning seven of their ten matches.
Drama struck late in the match against Jamaica when a penalty was awarded deep into added time. Curacao substitute Jeremy Antonisse appeared to make contact with Isaac Hayden, and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. The decision was overturned after a review by the video assistant referee, leaving the home supporters stunned and Jamaica eliminated. Curacao will head to the World Cup alongside Haiti and Panama from the region. Haiti secured their spot by beating Nicaragua two to zero, returning to the tournament for the first time since 1974. Much of Curacao’s squad is made up of players born in the Netherlands who have family connections to the island. The team includes professionals such as Joshua Brenet, Arjany Martha, Sontje Hansen and Tahith Chong. For Juninho Bacuna, representing Curacao also provided the chance to play international football alongside his brother Leandro, the team captain. He believes Curacao’s success will attract even more Dutch born players with island roots, strengthening the team further as they prepare for the World Cup.
source:BBC
