Curaçao makes history with World Cup qualification whilst Suriname scrambles into playoffs

In a nail-biting World Cup qualifying match, Curaçao has become the smallest nation ever to reach football’s biggest stage. Meanwhile, Suriname kept their dream alive with a last-gasp own goal that secured their playoff spot.

The Caribbean island of Curaçao, home to just 155,000 people, achieved the impossible on Tuesday night.

As the NOS reports: a nerve-shredding 0-0 draw against Jamaica in Kingston was enough to send the tiny island through to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Playing on what the Dutch press described as a dreadful pitch, Jamaica threw everything at Curaçao, hitting the post and crossbar three times after halftime.

In stoppage time, the referee awarded Jamaica a penalty, but after VAR intervention, the decision was overturned. Curaçao had done it.

The Dutch connection

Curaçao is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, alongside Aruba and Sint Maarten.

This special constitutional status means that whilst Curaçao is autonomous, it shares the Dutch monarch and maintains close ties with the European Netherlands.

Many Curaçaoans hold Dutch nationality, and the island’s official language is Dutch alongside Papiamento.

The squad itself reflects these ties, consisting mostly of players with backgrounds in Dutch professional football.

Dick Advocaat, the 78-year-old Dutch football legend, missed the historic match after flying back to the Netherlands on Saturday due to family circumstances. His close friend Cor Pot and Dean Gorré took charge in his absence.

When Curaçao takes the field next summer, Advocaat will become the oldest coach ever at a World Cup.

Suriname’s dramatic escape

Whilst Curaçao was celebrating, Suriname experienced their own drama. Coach Stanley Menzo’s team needed a win against Guatemala to qualify automatically, with talk in Suriname of a national holiday if they pulled it off.

Instead, Suriname collapsed in Guatemala City, conceding three goals and facing elimination from even the playoffs.

Then, in the 93rd minute, a Guatemala defender scored an own goal. That single moment kept Suriname’s World Cup dream alive, securing their playoff spot on goal difference.

Summer 2026: Dutch cities ready to party

Next summer is going to be massive in the Netherlands, particularly in cities like Rotterdam with their diverse, football-mad communities.

With Curaçao, Cape Verde, Morocco, potentially Suriname and the Netherlands itself all qualifying for the World Cup, expect Dutch cities to transform into one giant, multicultural football festival.

Rotterdam, with its significant communities from all these qualified nations, is set to become party central.

It will be June, long nights, and a lot of games are played in the late evening and night (Dutch time), it will be a buzzing affair.

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The 2026 World Cup’s expanded 48-team format has opened doors for smaller nations, but Curaçao’s achievement stands as something truly special.

The Dutch team, good old ‘Oranje’, already qualified this Monday after winning against Lituania (as was expected).

Which country are you supporting with the next World Cup? Let us know in the comments below!