Published: 12:55 AM, 14 June 2026
Tiny Island, Giant Dream: Debutants Curaçao, Cape Varde’s Fairytale March to World Cup Football
The FIFA World Cup is the ultimate battleground for the world’s best football teams. Every football fan dreams of seeing their favorite team on this grand stage. But for many of FIFA’s 211 member nations, that dream often remains out of reach.
However, a major change has come for the 2026 World Cup.
Hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the tournament is featuring 48 teams for the first time. As a result, the door of opportunity has opened wider for nations that previously had little chance of qualifying.
Taking advantage of this new opportunity, four countries have secured their places in the World Cup for the very first time — Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan.
In world football, the spotlight usually belongs to giants like Brazil, Germany, Argentina or France. But ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, two tiny nations have captured the imagination of football fans across the globe.
From Beaches to the Biggest Stage: Curaçao’s World Cup Fairytale
In world football, the World Cup has always been the stage where underdogs dare to dream. In world football, miracles are rare. Yet every World Cup creates a story that captures the imagination of fans across the globe. From Iceland’s historic qualification in 2018 to Cape Verde’s recent rise, small nations have repeatedly shown that population size does not define footballing ambition. Now, another tiny nation has captured global attention — Curaçao.
With a population of only 150,000 and a total area of just 444 square kilometers, how many people even know the name of the tiny North American nation of Curaçao? Now they will. Curaçao is set to play in the upcoming FIFA World Cup — becoming the smallest country ever to qualify for the tournament.
And that is not the only remarkable record they will set. Curaçao will also become the first country in World Cup history whose entire squad consists of foreign-born players. In other words, not a single player in the team was born in Curaçao itself.
Known more for turquoise beaches, coral reefs and diving tourism, Curaçao has now added football glory to its identity. The island has become one of the smallest nations ever to reach the World Cup, proving once again that passion and belief can overcome size and tradition.
The road opened slightly because traditional CONCACAF heavyweights — United States, Mexico, and Canada — qualified automatically as tournament hosts, a rare opportunity emerged for smaller countries. Curaçao grabbed it with both hands.
Football, however, has never been the island’s dominant sport. Baseball traditionally rules the Caribbean nation. In fact, legendary MLB star Andruw Jones proudly hails from the island. Success on the football pitch has long remained elusive.
But belief began to grow the moment the World Cup hosts were announced.
“When we found out the tournament was going to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, we knew we could do it,” said Brenton Ballentien, former youth international and head of the supporters’ group known as “Captain Blue Face,” in an interview with ESPN.
Born in 2010, Dreaming Beyond Limits
Curaçao’s footballing journey officially began in 2010 after the breakup of the Netherlands Antilles Federation. FIFA and CONCACAF recognized the new national side in 2011, and the team played its first official match under the Curaçao name against the Dominican Republic — losing 1–0.
Back then, few could have imagined that this tiny island would one day stand among football’s elite.
Curaçao’s football story is deeply connected with the Netherlands. Many of the national team players were born and raised in the Netherlands before choosing to represent their ancestral homeland. The team was also guided during qualification by legendary Dutch coach Dick Advocaat.
Football struggled for years in Curaçao. The island lacked infrastructure, investment and a large talent pool. Baseball remained the nation’s most popular sport, while football operated quietly in the background.
In 2015, Curaçao sat at 150th place in the FIFA rankings — far away from international relevance.
Curaçao’s transformation began with a bold and intelligent strategy: reconnecting with Dutch-Curaçao footballers raised in the Netherlands.
Many players of Curaçaoan heritage were already developing in the Dutch football system — one of the most advanced football structures in the world. Bringing those talents into the national setup dramatically improved the team’s technical ability, tactical awareness and professionalism.
At the same time, FIFA’s Forward Program and local football academies helped strengthen grassroots football on the island.
In 2017, Curaçao shocked the Caribbean football scene by winning the Caribbean Cup, defeating Jamaica 2–1 in the final. It was the nation’s first major international title and a historic breakthrough moment.
That triumph earned Curaçao qualification for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where they stunned the region once again by reaching the knockout stages. Victories over Honduras and a dramatic late equalizer against Jamaica announced that Curaçao was no longer a minor football nation.
By 2017, they climbed to 68th in the FIFA rankings — the highest position in their history.
The Dutch Mastermind Behind the Miracle
Behind every great football revolution stands a visionary coach. For Curaçao, that figure is legendary Dutch manager Dick Advocaat.
The experienced tactician took charge in 2024 and immediately transformed the team’s mentality. Despite being 78 years old, Advocaat brought modern tactical discipline, sharp organization and fearless ambition.
Under his leadership, Curaçao perfected an aggressive 4-3-3 system built around counter-attacks, defensive compactness and deadly set-pieces.
More importantly, he convinced the players that they belonged on football’s biggest stage. That belief changed everything.
At 78 years old, Advocaat is set to become the oldest coach ever to manage at a FIFA World Cup. Though he briefly stepped away in February for family reasons, he returned just a month before the tournament, determined to complete the dream.
On the final matchday, Curaçao traveled to Jamaica needing at least a draw to secure qualification. The tension was unbearable for supporters.
“When we beat Jamaica at home, I knew it was our year,” Ballentien recalled. “But in the away game, I felt like I was going to die. When they got a penalty in the very last minute, my heart stopped for a few seconds. Then VAR overturned it. That feeling is unforgettable.”
Beyond football, Curaçao’s greatest strength may be its cultural diversity. The island is a melting pot shaped by European, Caribbean, Latin American, and African influences.
“Curaçao is a very diverse island; many different cultures come together here,” Ballentien said. “We speak five or six languages — Dutch, English, Spanish, Papiamento, Portuguese and French.”
World Cup loyalties on the island are equally fascinating. While many residents traditionally support the Netherlands during major tournaments, those born and raised on the island often rally behind Brazil — a passion rooted in the glory days of Pelé.
Now, however, the island finally has a team of its own to support.
Curaçao’s World Cup challenge will be enormous. Drawn into Group E, they are set to face football powerhouse Germany alongside Ecuador and Ivory Coast.Yet on the island, results may matter less than the celebration itself.
“There is always energy and a festive atmosphere here, especially when it comes to sports. We know how to eat and drink well,” Ballentien said.
The team will be led by former Aston Villa midfielder Leandro Bacuna, who now plays for Turkish second-division side Igdir FK. Alongside the 34-year-old Leandro, his younger brother Juninho Bacuna will also feature in the World Cup squad. The 28-year-old Juninho currently plays for Dutch club FC Volendam. Former Manchester United academy player Tahith Chong is also part of the team.
The 26-year-old Chong previously represented the Netherlands at youth level. Last August, he obtained Curaçaoan citizenship. He currently plays club football for English side Sheffield United.
Placed in Group E, Curaçao will play their opening World Cup match against Germany national football team on June 14.
The island’s culinary culture is as colorful as its football story. Local favorites include kuminda di tera — traditional “earth food” dishes featuring goat meat, iguana meat, and okra soup. And no celebration in Curaçao is complete without the island’s iconic bright-blue orange liqueur, Blue Curaçao, produced at the famous Landhuis Chobolobo distillery.
For Curaçao, this World Cup is already a victory — proof that even the smallest nations can stand on football’s grandest stage.
And whatever happens in Germany, Ecuador or Ivory Coast matches, one thing is certain: The island will celebrate every moment.
“Whether we win, lose or draw — there will be a celebration. We’re just going to enjoy playing on this big stage.”
Cape Verde's Greatest Footballing Moment: From Atlantic Paradise to Football’s Biggest stage
For Cape Verde, a volcanic archipelago of ten islands off the west coast of Africa, qualifying for the FIFA World Cup is more than a sporting achievement—it is a historic moment of national pride.
Cape Verde, a tiny nation of ten islands in the Atlantic Ocean, is renowned worldwide for its crystal-clear blue waters and powder-white sandy beaches. This summer, however, the island nation will attract global attention for a reason far beyond tourism.
The Blue Sharks are set to make their debut on football’s grandest stage as one of Africa’s ten representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. After repeatedly proving their quality on the continental stage, Cape Verde are finally ready to test themselves against the world's elite.
Their fairytale qualification comes in the same year the country celebrates the 50th anniversary of its independence from Portugal, giving the nation even more reason to celebrate as its footballers prepare to take on the world's best teams.
Known officially as Cabo Verde in Portuguese, the island nation produced a remarkable performance during the African qualifiers. Drawn into a challenging Group D alongside traditional powerhouse Cameroon and a competitive Angola side, Cape Verde exceeded all expectations.
The Blue Sharks won eight of their ten matches to secure direct qualification for the World Cup. Their home form was particularly impressive, winning all five matches on home soil without conceding a single goal.
Heading into the final round of fixtures, Cape Verde held a two-point advantage over Cameroon, the African nation with a record eight World Cup appearances. By the end of the campaign, Cape Verde had accumulated 23 points, finishing top of the group and securing an historic place at the World Cup while leaving Cameroon behind.
With a population of just 525,000, Cape Verde will become the third-smallest nation by population ever to play at a World Cup, behind Iceland in 2018 and fellow debutants Curaçao in 2026.
The decisive moment came on October 13 when Cape Verde defeated Eswatini 3-0 at home. As the final whistle blew, celebrations erupted across the capital city of Praia.
Defender Roberto “Pico” Lopes recalled the emotions of that unforgettable day in an interview with ESPN.
“On the day of the match against Eswatini, I was trying to save my energy, but my stomach was shaking with excitement,” Lopes said.
“I was supposed to take a nap before the game, but one of our players took out a speaker and started playing music. We all started dancing. That's when we knew everything was going to be okay, that the day had to be ours.”
The Cape Verde squad is made up of players scattered across different countries and continents. Yet whenever they gather for international duty, music and food help strengthen their bond.
“Singing is a huge part of the atmosphere in the dressing room,” Lopes explained. “We play traditional songs, a mix of old and modern music.”
Food also plays a central role in bringing the team together.
“We eat cachupa for dinner and breakfast. It's our national dish and we all eat it together.”
Cachupa, a traditional stew made with corn and beans, is one of the most cherished symbols of Cape Verdean culture.
Cape Verde are no strangers to major tournaments. The Blue Sharks have appeared in four editions of the Africa Cup of Nations, reaching the quarter-finals in both 2013 and 2023. They also came agonisingly close to qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar before narrowly missing out.
A Tough Group, But Bigger Dreams Ahead
Cape Verde have been drawn in Group H alongside Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia—an intimidating challenge for the tournament newcomers.
All of Cape Verde’s group-stage matches will be played in the United States. Their campaign begins against Spain in Atlanta on June 15, followed by Uruguay in Miami on June 21 and Saudi Arabia in Houston on June 26.
Yet the excitement outweighs any fear.
Lopes admits there is one opponent he still dreams of facing.
“The little boy in me wants to play against Brazil. They are the symbol of the World Cup. But to play against them we have a long way to go! We are happy with the group we have now.”
For a nation of just over half a million people, the road to the World Cup has already been remarkable. Now Cape Verde's ten islands will have the chance to showcase their passion, culture and footballing spirit on the biggest stage in the sport.
Adnan Hadi is a senior journalist
mainly writing on archaeological
sites and sports. He can be reached at: [email protected]
