Curacao, a Caribbean island with a population of just 150,000, has become the smallest nation ever to qualify for a FIFA World Cup, breaking Iceland's previous record of 350,000 inhabitants. Covering about 440 square kilometers, the island is six times smaller than Rhode Island, the smallest US state.
Known for its beaches, diving spots, and eponymous liqueur, Curacao's top sport is baseball, not football. The island has produced around 15 Major League Baseball players, most notably Andruw Jones, who was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame this year.
"Football used to be much bigger here. From the 1960s through the 80s, everyone watched it," said local sports reporter Carl Ruiter. The top domestic league, Prome Divishon, features 10 teams, and a cup competition was established last year. World Cup qualifying gave football a major boost, with stadiums packed for final home games.
Curacao went unbeaten throughout qualifying. In the decisive match away to Jamaica, the hosts were awarded a stoppage-time penalty, but a VAR review overturned the decision, sparking joyous tears from players. Striker Kenji Gorre shouted, "We made the impossible possible. A dream is coming true."
The national team was formed only in 2011 after Curacao gained autonomy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 2010. In January 2024, veteran Dutch coach Dick Advocaat took charge, recruiting players from the Netherlands who have Curacaoan heritage. Most players hold Dutch passports and were born in Europe, but they are not seen as mercenaries, as many have family ties and speak the local language Papiamento.
Advocaat resigned weeks before the World Cup due to his daughter's serious illness, and Fred Rutten took over. However, after Advocaat became available again in May, Rutten stepped down, citing a need to avoid undermining professional relationships. Advocaat, at 78, will become the oldest coach in men's World Cup history.
Curacao faces four-time champions Germany, Ecuador, and Ivory Coast in Group E. "We have proven that we are difficult to beat," Advocaat told Reuters. "But the opponents in this group are of a different quality. Nothing is impossible."
Source: www.dw.com