Curacao, with the population of three panchayats in Malappuram, qualify for FIFA World Cup

Curacao, an island situated in the Caribbean Sea, will play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The self-governing part of the Netherlands is the least populous country to qualify for the World Cup. According to the island's Central Bureau of Statistics, Curacao's population is 1,56,115.

Iceland, with a population of 3,50,000, had held the record for the least populous country before Curacao's qualification. To put it into perspective, Angadippuram, Anakkayam and Mooniyur, three random grama panchayats in the football-crazy district of Malappuram in Kerala, have a combined population more than Curacao. To expand it further, Curacao's population makes up just 5.4% of Malappuram's.

Incidentally, Curacao's qualification came just a few hours after India, with a population of 1.46 billion, suffered a humiliating 0-1 defeat to Bangladesh in an inconsequential AFC Asian Cup third round qualifier. With no wins in five rounds, India haven't even qualified for the Asian Cup to be held in Saudi Arabia in 2027.

Curacao sealed their berth following a goalless draw with Jamaica in Kingston to top Group B of the third-round CONCACAF (North, Central American and Caribbean) qualifiers. The World Cup, expanded to 48 teams, will be held in Canada, Mexico and the United States from June 11 to July 19.

Veteran Dutch coach Dick Advocaat was not on the touchline to watch Curacao earn the decisive point as he had to return to Europe at the weekend for family reasons. Curacao had a nervous ending to the match as Jamaica were awarded a last-gasp penalty, but the decision was changed on consultation with VAR.