Curacao became the smallest nation ever to reach a FIFA World Cup after a tense 0-0 draw away to Jamaica sealed an extraordinary qualification triumph.
The island of just 156,000 people topped Group B with 12 points, surviving a late Jamaican siege that saw the hosts hit the woodwork three times before a stoppage-time penalty was overturned by VAR.
Haiti also secured a long-awaited return to the global stage, reaching their first World Cup since 1974 with a 2-0 victory over Nicaragua.
Forced to play home qualifiers in Curacao due to unrest back home, they finished top of Group C with 11 points.
Panama claimed the third automatic ticket on offer, sweeping aside El Salvador 3-0 in Panama City to clinch their spot and end Suriname’s bid for direct qualification, though Suriname still squeezed into the playoff round despite losing to Guatemala.
Curacao’s achievement stands alone in World Cup history. The previous smallest nation to qualify was Iceland in 2018, with a population more than double that of the Caribbean minnows.
The Blue Wave’s historic night came without veteran coach Dick Advocaat, absent due to a family matter, while Jamaica were led by former England manager Steve McClaren.
