Following the qualification of Cabo Verde, the humble African nation that secured a direct spot in the tournament, a new major upset could now occur with the qualification of Curacao. That team was Argentina's rival in 2023 after Argentina won the World Cup in Qatar 2022.
Curacao Aims for the World Cup Spot Of the 48 spots FIFA grants for the World Cup, 29 are already filled. With the expansion of slots, which will allow 48 teams to compete in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, there will be more surprises than usual in 2026. «It would be a dream,» said the goalkeeper.
Curacao faces Trinidad and Tobago. Furthermore, the governing body of Central American football must grant three more spots that will be distributed among the leaders of the three groups, while the best second-place teams will advance to the World Repechage.
The big surprise at this point is that Curacao, a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands with an area of just 444 square kilometers and a population of barely 156,000, is leading Group B ahead of Jamaica. This is because the island team defeated Bermuda 7-0, and after Jamaica's draw, they became leaders of their zone with 11 points, one more than Jamaica, who had beaten Trinidad and Tobago but were equalized in the final moments of the game.
Curacao is going for the World Cup. The twist to the story is that the finale will be more than passionate, as Curacao and Jamaica will face each other next Sunday in the final matchday of the CONCACAF qualifiers.
It is worth noting that Curacao could only lose its lead if they fall to the Jamaicans, who, despite being below in the standings, have a much higher hierarchy in their squad with players like Mason Holgate, former Everton defender, or Demarai Gray, a Birmingham forward.
«We have a chance to qualify,» said Curacao's goalkeeper Eloy Room in a past interview with Olé.
Curacao, Argentina's rival in 2023, thrashed Bermuda and is one step away from qualifying. Every World Cup features unknown teams that manage to make it to the biggest football event.
Of the remaining 19 spots, three correspond to CONCACAF, which already has the United States, Mexico, and Canada qualified as hosts of the competition.
If you had told me a couple of years ago that I would be playing against Messi with Curacao, I would have said I didn't believe you. After that, anything is possible. So first, we have to qualify, but we are on the right track and we have a chance to qualify for the World Cup.
Source: OLE