Curacao Makes History by Qualifying for World Cup
By ESPN News Services
November 18, 2025, 10:15 PM ET
In a stunning achievement, Curacao has become the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup finals, securing their place after a 0-0 draw against Jamaica on the final day of the Concacaf qualifiers.
Weaving through an intense final round, Panama and Haiti also clinched qualification, joining the already qualified host countries: the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The Caribbean island boasts a population of just 156,115 and spans only 444 square kilometers. Curacao completed their qualifying campaign undefeated and topped Group B with a total of 12 points.
This accomplishment surpasses the previous record held by Iceland, which qualified in 2018 with a larger population just over 350,000.
Guided by former Premier League manager Dick Advocaat, who missed the match against Jamaica due to personal matters, Curacao not only sailed through the qualification unbeaten but also recorded a striking 7-0 victory over Bermuda on their journey to the World Cup.
Advocaat has previously led the Netherlands national team on three occasions, as well as managing teams like South Korea, Belgium, and Russia before taking the reins with Curacao.
Curacao will find out their group stage rivals for their historic World Cup debut during the draw scheduled for December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.
Meanwhile, Panama secured their second World Cup appearance by defeating El Salvador 3-0, with goals from Cesar Blackman and Erick Davis in the first half, and an additional goal from Jose Luis Rodriguez. Panama’s only previous World Cup outing was in 2018.
Finishing at the top of Group A with 12 points, Panama outperformed Suriname, who, despite leading on goal difference, suffered a 3-1 defeat to Guatemala and ended the round with nine points.
In a surprising twist, Haiti emerged victorious in Group C, surpassing favored teams Honduras and Costa Rica after a 2-1 win against Nicaragua. With this outcome, both Honduras and Costa Rica will not be participating in the upcoming summer tournament.
Loicious Deedson opened the scoring for Haiti in the ninth minute, followed by a goal from Ruben Providence just before halftime. Haiti previously made their World Cup appearance in Germany in 1974.
Haiti concluded the qualifiers with 11 points, while Honduras had nine and Costa Rica ended with seven.
Jamaica and Suriname, who finished second in their respective groups, earned the last two Concacaf spots for FIFA’s inter-federation playoff and will compete with Bolivia, New Caledonia, DR Congo, and Iraq in a six-team tournament in March for two coveted World Cup spots.
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