<p>The <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/world-cup/mens-world-cup/fifa-world-cup-2026-outrights-7009197">2026 FIFA World Cup</a> just got a whole lot more interesting.</p> <p>Curacao - a Caribbean island with a population of barely 150,000 - has qualified for the tournament after holding Jamaica to a goalless draw in Kingston. They're officially the smallest nation ever to reach soccer's biggest stage.</p> <p>To put that in perspective, Curacao has less than a third of Canberra's population. The previous record holder was Iceland, who made it to the 2018 World Cup with a population of around 390,000. Curacao's just smashed that record.</p> <h2>Jamaica's Last-Gasp Penalty Drama</h2> <p>Steve McClaren's Jamaica side needed a win at home to book their first World Cup appearance since 1998. They had it all set up in front of their own fans.</p> <p>Then came the most brutal finish you'll see all year.</p> <p>Deep into the fourth minute of stoppage time, Jamaica were awarded a penalty. Curacao substitute Jeremy Antonisse brought down Isaac Hayden, the referee pointed to the spot, and Kingston erupted. This was it - qualification secured with literally seconds remaining.</p> <p>VAR had different ideas. The officials encouraged the referee to review the decision, and after checking the monitor, he reversed the call. No penalty. The final whistle blew moments later.</p> <p>McClaren resigned immediately after the match. Can't really blame the bloke - that's about as heartbreaking as it gets.</p> <p>Jamaica now face the intercontinental playoffs, which is a significantly harder route to the World Cup than they had in front of them.</p> <h2>Dick Advocaat's Incredible Achievement</h2> <p>The manager behind this historic qualification wasn't even at the match. Dick Advocaat missed the game in Kingston due to personal reasons, but his work throughout the campaign speaks volumes.</p> <p>The 78-year-old Dutchman will become the oldest coach ever at a World Cup when the tournament kicks off next year. He's beating Otto Rehhagel's previous record by seven years - Rehhagel was 71 when he took Greece to South Africa in 2010.</p> <p>Advocaat's had a legendary career across Europe, managing the likes of PSV, Rangers, Zenit and the Netherlands national team. But this might just be his greatest accomplishment.</p> <h2>From 150th to 82nd in World Rankings</h2> <p>Nobody saw this coming a decade back. Ten years ago, Curacao sat 150th in FIFA's world rankings. They're now 82nd, and they've just qualified for a World Cup with an unbeaten campaign.</p> <p>The island only became its own country in 2010 after the Netherlands Antilles was dissolved. It's part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, sits about 60 kilometres off the Venezuelan coast, and covers just 171 square miles - smaller than the Isle of Man.</p> <p>Their qualifying campaign was absolutely sensational. Seven wins from 10 matches, finishing completely unbeaten. That's world-class form regardless of who you're playing.</p> <p>Juninho Bacuna, who played in England for Huddersfield, Rangers and Birmingham before representing Curacao, summed it up perfectly: "Even a few years ago you would not even think about it."</p> <p>He's right. Nobody thought this was possible.</p> <h2>The 48-Team Format Opens Doors</h2> <p>Let's be real here - Curacao wouldn't be going to a World Cup under the old 32-team format. The expansion to 48 nations has completely changed the game for smaller countries.</p> <p>With the USA, Mexico and Canada all getting automatic qualification as hosts, there were more spots available from the Concacaf region. Curacao grabbed their opportunity and never let go.</p> <p>They're one of four debutants heading to the tournament next year, joining Cape Verde, Uzbekistan and Jordan. This World Cup is going to look very different from what we're used to.</p> <h2>Haiti End 52-Year Wait</h2> <p>Curacao aren't the only Caribbean nation celebrating. Haiti have qualified for their first World Cup since 1974 after beating Nicaragua 2-0 in their final match.</p> <p>That's 52 years between World Cup appearances. There are grandparents in Haiti who've been waiting their entire adult lives to see their national team at a World Cup again.</p> <p>Panama also secured qualification, meaning Concacaf sends three nations to the tournament - with Jamaica still alive through the playoff route.</p> <h2>What This Means for 2026</h2> <p>The tournament kicks off next summer across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Curacao will be massive underdogs in every match they play, facing off against some of the biggest names in world soccer.</p> <p>But they've already achieved something incredible. A tiny island nation with a population smaller than many Australian suburbs has qualified for the World Cup on merit through an unbeaten campaign.</p> <p>The 48-team format might have given them the chance, but Curacao earned every bit of their qualification. They went toe-to-toe with everyone in their group and came out on top.</p> <p>That's quite a journey from 150th in the rankings to World Cup participants in just 10 years.</p>