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Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC - Sports - Nairaland

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Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by ogododo(op): 9:09am On Nov 19, 2025
Curacao has become one of the unexpected newcomers in the CONCACAF qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The nation of 185,489 people topped Group B with 12 points and will be on the world’s radar next year as it makes its first-ever appearance at a FIFA men’s World Cup.

Trinidad and Tobago and Bermuda fell short, while Jamaica still has a chance through the international playoff for the final spot at the tournament to be held in the US, Mexico and Canada.

When did Curacao join FIFA?

Although the Curacao federation was founded in 1921, it did not join FIFA until 1932, and its first international tournament ended with a third-place finish behind Costa Rica and El Salvador. In 1946, the country hosted an official competition to mark the federation’s 25th anniversary; Aruba, Suriname, Colombia’s Junior and Feyenoord took part, with the hosts lifting the trophy. Its golden era arrived in the 1950s, when Curacao became one of the strongest sides in the region – highlighted by a gold medal at the Central American and Caribbean Games – yet political issues and internal problems kept it from reaching a World Cup at the time.

The team’s best results include two third-place finishes at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, in 1963 and 1969. Qualifying for the 2026 World Cup now stands among the federation’s greatest achievements.

Curacao team today

The players have been central to earning a place at the 2026 World Cup. The current roster includes:

Goalkeepers: Eloy Room, Leandro Merencia, Trevor Doornbusch
Defenders: Shurandy Sambo, Jurien Gaari, Roshon van Eijma, Sherel Floranus, Ar’jany Martha, Riechedly Bazoer, Armando Obispo and Joshua Brenet.
Midfielders: Godfried Roemeratoe, Juninho Bacuna, Livano Comenencia, Leandro Bacuna, Tahith Chong, Tyrese Noslin, Kevin Felida
Forwards: Jürgen Locadia, Jeremy Antonisse, Jearl Margaritha, Gervane Kastaneer, Kenji Gorré, Sontje Hansen
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c14p3dmdld1o

Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by ogododo(op): 9:10am On Nov 19, 2025
Nawa Nlfpmod, we wey be 250 million no get am.
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by CodeTemplarr: 9:38am On Nov 19, 2025
Can they beat Nigeria one on one? But they are going and we are here watching
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by Quest7777: 11:14am On Nov 19, 2025
Congrats Curaçao.

A country of only 185,000 citizens, and some Nigerians think it is impossible for this country to break up into various Ethnic Nationalities.

At worst, Ethnic Nationalities that still want to remain together can do so.
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by patrikoolar: 11:20am On Nov 19, 2025
The thing they don't tell you about Curacao, is that the rich class are of Dutch ancestry, and they live in exclusive, gated communities.

The locals (blacks) live in what they can manage.
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by Sapeleboy911(m): 11:22am On Nov 19, 2025
Curacao home of scam bookies like 1Xbet.
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by MadamVanessa(f): 11:22am On Nov 19, 2025
shocked



This people go too chop goals for their group. grin
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by Moveittothem: 11:22am On Nov 19, 2025
And the All-round Now Disgraced Country couldn't qualify in a farmers league of countries.
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by Lalami3232(m): 11:22am On Nov 19, 2025
And my country Nigeria wey get over 200M population couldn't qualify. Anyways, we can't be good in everything sha. Since we're good in corruption, banditry, bigotry, tribalism, f00lish, kidnapping etc, then we're satisfied. Make dem host competition on the aforementioned above and watch us qualify with flying colors.

What do I even know sef aside enlightening my fellow men nationwide with the good news of DNA test
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by geezyk(m): 11:23am On Nov 19, 2025
Na so Tahith Chong go first Osimhen play for world cup be dat. Country dey no reach Isolo lcda in numbers.
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by RollinTNDA: 11:23am On Nov 19, 2025
Curacao has become one of the unexpected newcomers in the CONCACAF qualifiers for the 2026 World
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by MrJames007: 11:23am On Nov 19, 2025
Sapeleboy911:
Curacao home of scam bookies like 1Xbet.
Thought it's Russian.

Zzz
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by Allsmilez999: 11:24am On Nov 19, 2025
Super eagles,
wetin dey happen?
Wetin dey shele?
We wan know!
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by yorosstores: 11:24am On Nov 19, 2025
COngrats to them. hope they will be able to pull up some surprises at the world cup.

This will definitely put them on the world map.

Kudus to them
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by OLOKOESHIN: 11:25am On Nov 19, 2025
MadamVanessa:
shocked



This people go too chop goals for their group. grin
No reason am that way boy
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by iwaeda: 11:26am On Nov 19, 2025
Congratulations to history makers, my body still boiling over Super Eagles loosing out. grin grin grin grin
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by Cmanforall: 11:26am On Nov 19, 2025
ogododo:
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c14p3dmdld1o
Nigerians never discovered this country
No Nigerian name on their team.

Let’s see in the next 18years 😁
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by PROPHETmichael: 11:28am On Nov 19, 2025
CodeTemplarr:
Can they beat Nigeria one on one? But they are going and we are here watching
Mugu! The same now disgraced team of a now disgraced country who couldn't beat Zimbabwe?
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by curlarpy: 11:28am On Nov 19, 2025
Wonders shall never end... A country of 185k?

A country of over 250million population will be here watching them on TV without being represented...

F**K NFF, Presidency, sport ministry and the super chicken
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by favour32(m): 11:28am On Nov 19, 2025
Quest7777:
Congrats Curaçao.

A country of only 185,000 citizens, and some Nigerians think it is impossible for this country to break up into various Ethnic Nationalities.

At worst, Ethnic Nationalities that still want to remain together can do so.
Make country break into major ethnic line
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by Karlovich: 11:28am On Nov 19, 2025
The criminal from Chicago has destroyed the national team, spits.
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by tommy589(m): 11:33am On Nov 19, 2025
Quest7777:
Congrats Curaçao.

A country of only 185,000 citizens, and some Nigerians think it is impossible for this country to break up into various Ethnic Nationalities.

At worst, Ethnic Nationalities that still want to remain together can do so.
If the puppet masters allows it. Whats the use of purposeless unity
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by free2ryhme: 11:33am On Nov 19, 2025
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by Kharol1234: 11:35am On Nov 19, 2025
And giant of Africa no qualifier
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by doncartel: 11:36am On Nov 19, 2025
They should give us their slot so in return we help them with some financial assistance.
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by just2endowed: 11:37am On Nov 19, 2025
Quest7777:
Congrats Curaçao.

A country of only 185,000 citizens, and some Nigerians think it is impossible for this country to break up into various Ethnic Nationalities.

At worst, Ethnic Nationalities that still want to remain together can do so.
all country nationals can just be in one telegram group and share ideads and rest
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by BabaO2: 11:38am On Nov 19, 2025
ogododo:
Nawa Nlfpmod, we wey be 250 million no get am.
That is why it is too difficult to pick the very best.
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by ARISHEM: 11:45am On Nov 19, 2025
More than 10-0 score lines will be plenty in this World Cup tournament. sad
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by McLizbae: 11:46am On Nov 19, 2025
This first comment really made me laugh🤣🤣🤣
Always settle for quality!
ogododo:
Nawa Nlfpmod, we wey be 250 million no get am.
I disagree. Save for corruption, it will even be interest to pick the best of the best from the 250 million people. Due to orruption, NFF never had any clear scheme for selection of the best for the national team. There are great and talented footballers that will still choose to go through a honest and quality-based selection program, and play selflessly for Nigeria even without pay. But NFF and it's Nigerian officials will never even allow that, as that may stop funds that goes into the wrong and stealing pockets.
BabaO2:
That is why it is too difficult to pick the very best.
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by marlow1962(m): 12:01pm On Nov 19, 2025
CodeTemplarr:
Can they beat Nigeria one on one? But they are going and we are here watching
Make them catch Nigeria first. Football no be by shouting we be giant of Africa or having 10 oshime.
Dedication, team spirit and hard work etc
The Nigerian team lacks all those and so much more.
They play dedicatedly when on the pitch of western world, but plays like shhi when it comes to their local league.
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by b0rn2fuck(m): 12:01pm On Nov 19, 2025
CodeTemplarr:
Can they beat Nigeria one on one? But they are going and we are here watching
same Nigeria that once the ball start, them go drag for floor like snail
Re: Curacao Has Become Smallest Country To Qualify For FIFA 2026 WC by princeade86(m): 12:01pm On Nov 19, 2025
Wow. Just like Iceland. They will surely reach quarter final
1 2 Reply

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