### Curaçao Makes History as the Smallest Nation to Qualify for the World Cup Curaçao has achieved a remarkable milestone in football history by qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming the smallest nation by population to do so. With a population of just 156,115, Curaçao secured its spot by finishing atop Group B with 12 points after a crucial 0-0 draw against Jamaica. This historic achievement is particularly notable as it occurred in the absence of their coach, Dick Advocaat, who had to return to the Netherlands for family reasons. Alongside Curaçao, Panama and Haiti also qualified for the World Cup, marking significant achievements for these nations as well [https://apnews.com/article/curacao-panama-haiti-world-cup-2026-ad26383b6c7276479d2a309a7970a5cb][https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/curacao-qualify-for-fifa-world-cup/story]. ### Breakdown of the Historic Qualification 1. **Curaçao's Qualification**: - Secured a 0-0 draw against Jamaica. - Finished first in Group B with 12 points. - Became the smallest nation by population to qualify for a World Cup with 156,115 residents [https://nltimes.nl/2025/11/19/curacao-makes-history-world-cup-qualification-suriname-sent-play-offs]. 2. **Other Nations Qualifying**: - **Panama**: Defeated El Salvador 3-0, topping their group. - **Haiti**: Won 2-1 against Nicaragua, marking their return to the World Cup after 50 years [https://news.az/news/haiti-return-to-world-cup-after-50-years-as-curacao-make-history-as-smallest-nation-to-qualify]. 3. **Coaching Situation**: - Coach Dick Advocaat was absent during the crucial match due to family commitments, yet the team managed to secure their qualification [https://www.wdio.com/ap-top-news/curacao-makes-history-as-smallest-nation-by-population-to-qualify-for-a-world-cup]. ### Supporting Evidence of Achievements - **Curaçao's Performance**: - Group B Standings: - Curaçao: 12 points (1st place) - Jamaica: 10 points - Suriname: 7 points (relegated to play-offs after losing to Guatemala) [https://nltimes.nl/2025/11/19/curacao-makes-history-world-cup-qualification-suriname-sent-play-offs]. - **Population Comparison**: - Curaçao: 156,115 (smallest nation to qualify). - Other qualifying nations like Panama and Haiti have larger populations, emphasizing the significance of Curaçao's achievement [https://www.bastillepost.com/global/article/5383139-curacao-makes-history-as-smallest-nation-by-population-to-qualify-for-a-world-cup]. ### Summary of Findings 1. **Historic Qualification**: Curaçao has made history by qualifying for the World Cup as the smallest nation by population, achieving this feat with a 0-0 draw against Jamaica. 2. **Significant Milestones for Other Nations**: Panama and Haiti also qualified, with Haiti returning to the World Cup after a 50-year absence. 3. **Coaching Absence**: The qualification was achieved despite the absence of their coach, highlighting the team's resilience and determination. In conclusion, **Curaçao's qualification for the World Cup is a landmark achievement in sports history**, showcasing the potential of smaller nations in the global football arena. This event not only celebrates Curaçao's success but also highlights the growing competitiveness of football in the Caribbean region [https://apnews.com/article/curacao-panama-haiti-world-cup-2026-ad26383b6c7276479d2a309a7970a5cb][https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/curacao-qualify-for-fifa-world-cup/story].