The Caribbean island of Curacao became the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup, drawing 0-0 with Jamaica in Kingston to secure a place in next year’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With a population of just 156,000, the team known as «the Blue Wave» topped Group B with 12 points from six matches, finishing one point ahead of Jamaica. Dutch veteran coach Dick Advocaat missed the decisive match due to a family emergency.
Haiti Returns After 52 Years
Haiti booked their first World Cup appearance since 1974, defeating Nicaragua 2-0 in Curacao, where they have played home qualifiers due to unrest in their homeland. Goals from Louicius Don Deedson and Ruben Providence, combined with Honduras’s 0-0 draw against Costa Rica, placed Haiti atop Group C with 11 points.
Panama Secures the Final CONCACAF Spot
Panama claimed the last automatic qualification spot with a 3-0 win over El Salvador. Suriname, who lost 3-1 to Guatemala, will progress to the intercontinental playoffs.
Dramatic Finish in Kingston
Jamaica pressed hard in the final minutes, hitting the woodwork three times and earning a late penalty, which was overturned by VAR to secure Curacao’s historic place at the finals.
World Cup 2026 Overview
The 2026 tournament will feature 48 teams. So far, 42 have qualified directly, with four via UEFA playoffs and two via the intercontinental playoff in March 2026. CONCACAF representatives include co-hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States, alongside Panama, Curaçao, and Haiti. Other confirmed teams include traditional powerhouses from Europe, South America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
Intercontinental Playoff
Six teams will compete in March 2026 at two neutral venues in Mexico to claim the final two World Cup spots. Representatives include DR Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, Suriname, New Caledonia, and Bolivia.
UEFA Playoff
Europe will hold a separate playoff to determine the last four qualifying teams. Twelve group runners-up will join four additional teams from the Nations League, divided into pots based on FIFA rankings. Winners of the playoff paths A, B, C, and D will claim the final spots for Europe.
Kursiv also reports that Uzbekistan will make its long-awaited debut at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming one of several so-called «footballing minnows» set to give the expanded tournament a fresh look — and new storylines.
