Haiti, Panama, and Curacao have punched their tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Curacao making history as the smallest nation ever to qualify for the finals.
Haiti overcame the odds with a 2-0 win over Nicaragua in Curacao, where they have been hosting home fixtures due to unrest in their country, topping Group C. Panama secured their spot by defeating El Salvador 3-0 at home, finishing Group A as leaders.
Curacao, a self-governing Caribbean nation of just 156,000 people, held Jamaica to a goalless draw in Kingston to finish Group B on top. The match saw a dramatic last-minute VAR intervention as a penalty initially awarded to Jamaica was overturned. Jamaica, coached by former England manager Steve McClaren, struck the woodwork three times in the second half, but Curacao’s team—comprising players born in the Netherlands with Antillean roots—held firm to clinch their World Cup debut.
With this achievement, Curacao surpasses Iceland (population 350,000) as the least populous country to reach a World Cup.
The three teams now join the expanding 48-team finals to be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States in 2026.
BY SPORTS DESK
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