Smaller Nations Qualify for 2026 FIFA World Cup

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, has filled 42 of its 48 available spots. This tournament will feature several nations with smaller populations qualifying, some for the first time.
CuraƧao, a Caribbean nation with approximately 150,000 residents, has qualified for the FIFA World Cup. Following a 0-0 draw with Jamaica, CuraƧao became the least populous country to secure a spot in the tournament, exceeding the previous record held by Iceland. To manage population limitations, CuraƧao has selected players primarily born in the Netherlands. The nation became an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 2010.
Haiti has qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1974. This qualification occurred amidst a domestic security and humanitarian crisis that has impacted daily life, including football operations, preventing the team from training or playing within Haiti for several years. The team's coach, Frenchman Sebastien Migne, appointed in 2024, has not visited the country.
Cape Verde, an Atlantic archipelago off West Africa with a population of approximately 600,000, qualified for the World Cup for the first time following a 3-0 victory against Eswatini. The nation has also incorporated players from its diaspora, such as center-back Roberto Lopes, who has Irish and Cape Verdean heritage.
Panama, with a population of 4.5 million, will return to the World Cup after its debut in 2018. The Central American nation secured its place by defeating El Salvador.
A contributing factor to the qualification of multiple smaller nations from the Americas is the automatic qualification of the host nationsā€”Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This arrangement frees up additional qualification slots for other member nations of the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF).
Qualification for the World Cup brings attention to participating nations. However, it also necessitates financial investment from national Football Associations into their teams and players to manage the demands of preparation and competition.