LONDON (DA) — Guinness World Records has recognized Curaçao’s World Cup breakthrough as a record, naming the island the smallest country by population ever to qualify for the men’s FIFA World Cup.
The record is tied to Curaçao’s qualification for the 2026 tournament on Nov. 19, 2025, when the team secured its place in Kingston with a 0-0 draw against Jamaica. Curaçao’s population at the time of qualification was listed as 156,115.
Coached by Dutchman Dick Advocaat, Curaçao finished first in its CONCACAF third-round qualifying group, going unbeaten across six matches with three wins and three draws. The point earned in Kingston was enough to complete the job — and to put Curaçao’s name into the global record book.
For the “Blue Wave,” the recognition adds a new layer to a milestone already felt across the island: a small nation reaching soccer’s biggest stage, now officially marked as the smallest to do it by population.