Curacao, with population less than Jamshedpur, qualify for FIFA World Cup 2026 - Check Least Populated Countries to Qualify

Curacao made history by becoming the smallest nation ever to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Caribbean island, with a population of about 156,000, secured their place after a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Jamaica in the final qualifier.

They topped their CONCACAF group unbeaten, including a dominant 7-0 win over Bermuda. Led by veteran coach Dick Advocaat, Curacao's consistent and skillful play saw them surpass Iceland's record as the smallest World Cup qualifier. This historic achievement marks a monumental moment in football history for the island nation.

The small country, which has less number of people than Indian cities such as Jamshedpur, Ghaziabad - will now write a new history in the annals of their football history. In this article, we shall take a look at the five least populated countries who have qualified for FIFA World Cup.

1. Curacao

Curacao has made history as the smallest nation ever to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, securing their place in the 2026 tournament. Located in the Caribbean, Curacao has a population of just 156,115 and a land area of 444 square kilometers, making it far smaller than any previous qualifier. Their qualification came after an unbeaten campaign in the CONCACAF qualifiers, finishing top of their group with 12 points.

2. Iceland

Iceland, with a population a little over 350,000, became the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup in 2018. Their qualification marked a significant milestone in football history due to their tiny population relative to football powerhouses. They made a memorable run in the tournament, capturing the world's attention.

3. Cape Verde

Cape Verde, a small African nation with a population of just over 528,000 is also set to make their World Cup debut in 2026. They have been an emerging football nation and beat the odds to book their berth in the World Cup next year.

4. Uruguay

Uruguay have a population of just around 3.3 million. The South American nation has always been a footballing powerhouse and are two-time World Champions as well. Like most editions, they are through to the FIFA World Cup 2026 as well.

5. Panama

Panama qualified for their second World Cup in 2026, having a population of about 4.3 million. While larger than Curacao and Iceland, Panama remains one of the smaller nations historically to make multiple World Cup appearances. They finished top of their CONCACAF qualifying group with a strong performance.