Gamers from the tiny however lovely Caribbean island of Curacao are 90 minutes away from creating World Cup historical past.
In the event that they keep away from defeat away at Jamaica on Tuesday evening (Wednesday 01:00 GMT), Curacao – guided by former Netherlands and Rangers boss Dick Advocaat – will qualify for the finals for the primary time.
They might change into the smallest nation ever to play on the World Cup. That report is held by Iceland, who reached the 2018 finals, however their nation is way greater than Curacao, which has a inhabitants of simply over 150,000 (much like Cambridge or Huddersfield) and a land space smaller than the Isle of Man.
“It is loopy and can be one of many greatest issues that may occur to Curacao,” mentioned midfielder Juninho Bacuna, a former Huddersfield, Rangers and Birmingham participant.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, he added: “It is unbelievable and wonderful. Even just a few years in the past you wouldn’t even give it some thought, however now we’re this shut.
“We’re sure to simply give our all to qualify for the World Cup. To be personally a part of it and to make that dream come true can be unbelievable.”
Curacao, 37 miles off the Venezuela coast, solely grew to become a rustic throughout the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 2010, following the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles.
Ten years in the past they had been a hundred and fiftieth in Fifa’s world rankings. Now they’re 82nd.
The expanded 2026 World Cup format, which options 48 nations as a substitute of 32, together with the actual fact hosts Canada, Mexico and the US all qualify robotically, has given Curacao a much-improved probability.
And in 9 qualifying matches, they’ve gained seven. A 2-0 residence win over Jamaica in October, adopted by a 1-1 draw with Trinidad and Tobago and a 7-0 away thrashing of Bermuda on Friday, has them high of their group with one match to go.
Within the ultimate sport, they’re away at Jamaica, who’re one level behind Curacao and can qualify themselves with a victory.
