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Curacao
topped CONCACAF Group B with 12 points, one ahead of Jamaica, who are one of
the strongest sides in the Caribbean. A hard-fought 0–0 draw away in Kingston
sealed their place at the finals. That result capped an unbeaten run that
included a 7–0 win over Bermuda and several displays built on discipline,
organisation and moments of attacking flair.
So, with
Curacao leading the way, let’s look at the four other smallest nations ever to
qualify for the World Cup, and how each one fared once they got there.
Iceland
Before
Curacao’s rise, Iceland were the defining small-nation success story. With a
population of around 350,000, they stunned Europe by qualifying for the 2016
Euros, reaching the quarter-finals, and then making it to their first World Cup
in 2018.
In Russia,
Iceland opened with a memorable 1–1 draw against Argentina — a result that sent
shockwaves around the tournament. Despite that early momentum, they could not
progress from the group, losing to Nigeria and Croatia in their final matches.
Cape
Verde
Cape Verde,
an island archipelago off the west coast of Africa with a population of just
over 500,000, has completed a historic breakthrough by qualifying for the 2026
FIFA World Cup, making them the smallest African nation in history to reach the
tournament.
Cape Verde
won seven of their ten qualifying matches, losing only once — a 4–1 defeat to
Cameroon. Crucially, they recovered from that setback with composure, stringing
together results that kept them ahead of more established African sides. Their
3–0 win over Eswatini in Praia ultimately sealed their place at the tournament
and sparked celebrations across the islands.
Trinidad
and Tobago
Trinidad
& Tobago reached their first World Cup in 2006, making them one of the
smallest nations ever to qualify at the time, with a population of around
640,000. Their achievement was grounded in a determined qualifying run and a
squad led by experienced figures such as Dwight Yorke and Shaka Hislop.
Placed in a
tough group in Germany, their opening match produced a historic 0–0 draw
against Sweden, achieved despite being reduced to ten men. Though they lost
their next two games — 2–0 to both England and Paraguay — they left the
tournament with respect and admiration. They did not score a goal, but their
organisation, spirit and huge travelling support made a lasting impression.
Northern
Ireland
While
Northern Ireland’s population is larger than the other nations here, their
achievements stand out in the broader history of small-nation World Cup
success. With a population of just under two million, they reached the World
Cup three times: 1958, 1982 and 1986.
Their 1958
campaign remains their high-water mark. They opened with a 1–0 win over
Czechoslovakia and battled through a tough group that also included Argentina
and West Germany. They won a play-off against the Czechs after finishing level
on points and progressed to the quarter-finals, where their run ended against a
strong French side.
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