Curaçao have officially entered the Guinness World Records after becoming the smallest nation by population to ever qualify for a FIFA World Cup.
The Caribbean island nation received the recognition on Tuesday when Guinness World Records presented an official certificate to Curaçao Football Federation president Gilbert Martina in Houston, United States.
According to Guinness World Records, Curaçao had a population of just 156,115 people when they secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, surpassing the previous record held by Iceland, whose population stood at approximately 350,000 when they reached the 2018 tournament.
In a statement, Guinness World Records confirmed the historic achievement.
“The smallest country (by population) to qualify for the football (soccer) FIFA World Cup is Curaçao, who had a population of 156,115 people when they qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Kingston, Jamaica, on 19 November 2025.”
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The record marks another remarkable milestone in the country’s football journey under veteran Dutch coach Dick Advocaat.
Curaçao sealed qualification after finishing top of their CONCACAF third-round qualifying group, recording three wins and three draws from six matches.
Guinness World Records described the achievement as a football fairytale, highlighting the decisive result that secured their historic place at the global showpiece.
“The small Caribbean island of Curaçao, managed by Dutchman Dick Advocaat, finished top of their CONCACAF third-round qualifying group with three wins and three draws from their six games.
“The ‘Blue Wave’ completed their football fairytale with a 0-0 draw against Jamaica on 19 November 2025, ensuring their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”
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The 2026 edition marks Curaçao’s first appearance at football’s biggest tournament and adds another chapter to one of the most unlikely qualification stories in World Cup history.
Their introduction to the global stage proved difficult, however, as they suffered a heavy 7-1 defeat in their opening match of the tournament on Sunday, June 14.
