Curaçao and Cabo Verde are into the World Cup. What impact can these ‘minnow nations’ make?
For the first time in history, soccer’s World Cup will expand to 48 teams in 2026 , marking one of the most radical changes ever made to the tournament. Starting on June 11 in Mexico City, the tournament will be the longest and largest ever. Across 39 days, there will be 104 matches . The new format has allowed several so-called “minnow nations” to qualify for the first time . They include Uzbekistan and Jordan, while Haiti has returned after last appearing in 1974. But it is
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature an expanded 48-team format, allowing several smaller nations to participate for the first time. Among these newcomers are the island nations of Curaçao and Cabo Verde, both making their historic debut. Curaçao, with a population of roughly 156,000, is the smallest nation ever to qualify, with many of its players originating from the Netherlands. Cabo Verde, an island state off the coast of Africa with about 525,000 residents, also relies on players from its diaspora, particularly those developed in Portugal. Both teams will face formidable opponents in their opening matches, with Curaçao set to play Germany and Cabo Verde facing Spain.
The inclusion of these 'minnow nations' in the expanded World Cup reflects a growing global reach for the sport and offers a unique opportunity for underrepresented countries to compete on the world stage.
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