As they say, anything can happen in football, and 2025 has truly proven that. This year has delivered some of the most unimaginable moments, from Tottenham Hotspur’s remarkable rise, PSG finally lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy, Newcastle United’s resurgence, and Bologna’s stunning breakthrough, to now Curaçao sealing their ticket to the FIFA World Cup 2026. Football continues to remind us why we love this game: the impossible becoming reality.
Through this blog on 96 APK, we will explore the rise of Curaçao in world football, their historic qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026, and five interesting facts that highlight their remarkable journey.
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The Rise of an Island Country
The South Caribbean Sea-based side Curacao earned a 0-0 draw against Jamaica and became the world’s smallest nation by population to qualify for the World Cup finals, finishing first in Concacaf qualifying Group B without a defeat. Furthermore, at just 444 square kilometres, it is also the smallest country in terms of area to play in a FIFA World Cup. The Caribbean island team achieved this historic result despite the absence of their coach, Dick Advocaat.
The 78-year-old, who has also led the Netherlands national team on three separate occasions in his career, as well as South Korea, Belgium, and Russia, had to return to the Netherlands last weekend for family reasons. According to the Central Statistical Office of Curacao, the country has a population of 156,115.
Iceland, with just over 350,000 inhabitants, was currently the least populous nation to have reached the World Cup finals when it qualified for the tournament in Russia in 2018. One of the key figures in Curacao’s qualification is Livano Comenencia, who played for Juve Next Gen from 2023 to 2025, before moving to Zurich on a permanent deal this summer.
In his two years in Turin, the 2004-born midfielder made 70 appearances, finding the net three times, all in the 2023-24 season, when he scored two goals in Serie C and one in the Coppa Italia. Now, however, he and his national team are celebrating their historic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which will be played from June 11 to July 19, 2026, in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
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Curacao World Cup Qualification(CONCACAF) Stats and Numbers
The 82nd-ranked FIFA side finished at the top of their CONCACAF qualification group, leaving Jamaica behind. Curaçao collected 12 points from six matches, winning three and drawing three. The island nation scored a total of 13 goals while conceding only three throughout the campaign. Key players such as Kastaneer, who scored five goals, along with Gorre and Bacuna, who netted three goals each, played a crucial role in guiding Curaçao to secure their FIFA World Cup 2026 spot.
5 Interesting Football Facts About Curaçao’s WC 2026 Qualification
1. Smallest Nation Ever to Qualify for a World Cup: Curacao, with a population of around 156,000, has become the smallest nation by population in football history to qualify for a FIFA World Cup, breaking Iceland’s record from 2018.
2. Unbeaten Qualification Run: Curacao finished the CONCACAF qualifying round undefeated with 3 wins and 3 draws, scoring 13 goals and conceding only 3, one of the strongest defensive records in the round.
3. Dutch Football Influence: Over 60% of the squad has roots or development experience in the Netherlands, bringing European tactical discipline and professional training levels to the national setup.
4. Key Players Led the Charge: Kastaneer (5 goals), Gorré (3 goals) and Leandro Bacuna (3 goals) were the top contributors in qualification, scoring 11 out of Curaçao’s 13 goals, showcasing exceptional efficiency.
5. Rapid Rise in FIFA Rankings: Curacao once sat below 180th in the FIFA rankings, but reached its all-time highest ranking of 68 in July 2017, marking one of the fastest modern ranking climbs in international football.
Conclusion
Curacao is an inspiring example of how sport can elevate a nation’s reputation on the global stage. They have outperformed countries such as India (the world’s second-largest population), Italy (former World Cup champions), Sweden (a consistently strong European side), China (the most populated country in the world), and many others in the race to the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Their next stop is the World Cup 2026, where they may share the stage with global icons like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and several other superstars, making this achievement even more extraordinary.
FAQs
1. Has Curacao qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Yes, Curacao has officially qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026 after finishing top of the CONCACAF qualification group.
2. Is this the first time Curaçao will play in a FIFA World Cup?
Yes, this will be Curacao’s first-ever appearance in a FIFA World Cup, marking a historic achievement for the island nation.
3. How many points did Curacao collect in the qualifiers?
Curacao earned 12 points from six matches, winning three and drawing three, finishing above teams like Jamaica.
4. Who are the key players for Curacao in the World Cup run?
Kastaneer finished as the top scorer with 5 goals, while Gorre and Bacuna scored 3 each and played key roles in qualification.
5. How many goals did Curacao score and concede in the qualifiers?
They scored 13 goals and conceded only 3, one of the best defensive records in the qualification stage.
