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<p>By population</p>
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<img alt="The smallest nations to qualify for a World Cup - Curaçao makes history"
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<p><span>©IMAGO</span></p>
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<p>For many in the West, the tiny Caribbean island of Curaçao is primarily seen as a vacation hotspot, celebrated for its vibrant Dutch-Caribbean architecture, stunning beaches, and lively coral reefs. However, the nation is making headlines for an impressive sporting achievement. Under the management of Dick Advocaat, Curaçao has become the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup, securing their spot at the 2026 finals after a 0-0 draw against Jamaica, managed by Steve McClaren. This remarkable feat allowed them to top their qualifying group.</p>
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<p>Although Curaçao gained autonomy in 2010, it remains part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. With a population of merely 156,000, it has now claimed the title of the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup. But which other countries make up the top ten? <em>Transfermarkt</em> has compiled a list of the ten smallest nations to qualify for a World Cup since World War II, based on their population at the time of qualification. Each nation is included only once.</p>
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<h2>The smallest nations to qualify for the World Cup</h2>
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<p>Currently leading the list is Curaçao, surpassing Iceland, which now holds the second position. Iceland, an island nation near the Arctic Circle, qualified for its first World Cup in 2018 with a population of just 352,000. They exited the tournament at the group stage but managed to secure a point against Lionel Messi's Argentina. Cape Verde follows closely behind, next qualifying for the 2026 tournament, ranking third with a population of 525,000. Trinidad and Tobago holds fourth place, having qualified for the 2006 World Cup with a population of 1.3 million, also being eliminated in the group stage.</p>
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<p>Fifth place goes to Northern Ireland, which reached the quarter-finals of the 1958 World Cup with a population of just 1.4 million. Paraguay, with a population of 1.5 million at the time, qualified for the 1950 World Cup and ranks sixth. Kuwait, situated at the northern tip of the Persian Gulf, follows in seventh, qualifying for the 1982 World Cup with a population of 1.7 million. The United Arab Emirates ranks eighth, with a population of 1.9 million during the 1990 World Cup. Slovenia takes the ninth spot, qualifying for the 2002 World Cup with a population of just 2 million, while Uruguay completes the top ten with a population of 2.2 million at the 1950 World Cup, a tournament they famously went on to win.</p>
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