Curacao is set to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, placing the island territory among the smallest nations by population ever to compete in the tournament.

According to GoogleNewsEN, Curacao is being compared to Cape Verde and other small nations that have historically qualified for the World Cup. With a population of approximately 150,000, Curacao occupies a notable position within the broader context of smaller countries participating in the global football tournament.

The 2026 World Cup is to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The expansion of the tournament to 48 participating nations has considerably broadened qualification opportunities for smaller football associations, a development that has contributed to the inclusion of nations such as Curacao and Cape Verde.

According to GoogleNewsEN, Curacao’s qualification places the island in a historical lineage of small nations that have reached the world’s premier football competition, a list that previously included Trinidad and Tobago and Iceland, among others.

The relevant parties could not be reached for comment.

The comparison between smaller participating nations highlights the increasing global distribution of professional football and the growing competitiveness of smaller member associations within the institutional framework of FIFA.