World Cup 2026: Curaçao receives Guinness World Record plaque as smallest country to qualify

By Adegboyega Adeleye

Curaçao have received recognition from Guinness World Records after becoming the smallest nation by population to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.

The Caribbean nation was presented with a certificate by Guinness World Records in recognition of the historic achievement, with Curaçao Football Federation President Gilbert Martina receiving the award.

“We were delighted to present Gilbert Martina, the President of the Curaçao Football Federation, the certificate for the smallest country by population to qualify for the FIFA World Cup – 156,115 people,” Guinness World Records wrote on its verified X account.

We were delighted to present Gilbert Martina, the President of the Curaçao Football Federation, the certificate for the smallest country by population to qualify for the FIFA World Cup – 156,115 people pic.twitter.com/G8wOmNDEzZ

— Guinness World Records (@GWR) June 16, 2026

Curaçao made history after securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming the smallest country ever to reach football’s biggest international tournament.

The island nation’s team, managed by Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, finished top of their CONCACAF third-round qualifying group after recording three wins and three draws from six matches.

Their qualification was confirmed after a goalless draw against Jamaica in Kingston on November 19, 2025, completing a remarkable football journey for the “Blue Wave”.

Despite their historic feat, Curaçao suffered a difficult start to their World Cup campaign after losing 7-1 to Germany in their opening match.

The achievement, however, remains a major milestone in World Cup history, proving that population size is no barrier to competing on the biggest stage in international football.

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