"Curacao, 37 miles off the Venezuela coast, only became a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 2010, following the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles. Ten years ago they were 150th in Fifa's world rankings. Now they are 82nd. The expanded 2026 World Cup format, which features 48 nations instead of 32, along with the fact hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States all qualify automatically, has given Curacao a much-improved chance."
""It's crazy and would be one of the biggest things that will happen to Curacao," said midfielder Juninho Bacuna, a former Huddersfield, Rangers and Birmingham player. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, he added: "It's incredible and amazing. Even a few years ago you would not even think about it, but now we are this close. "We're certain to just give our all to qualify for the World Cup. To be personally part of it and to make that dream come true would be incredible.""
"And in nine qualifying matches, they have won seven. A 2-0 home win over Jamaica in October, followed by a 1-1 draw with Trinidad and Tobago and a 7-0 away thrashing of Bermuda on Friday, has them top of their group with one match to go. In the final game, they are away at Jamaica, who are one point behind Curacao and will qualify themselves with a victory."
Curacao is a Caribbean island nation of about 150,000 people that became a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 2010. Under coach Dick Advocaat, Curacao climbed from 150th to 82nd in FIFA rankings and won seven of nine qualifying matches for the expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup. Key results include a 2-0 home win over Jamaica, a 1-1 draw with Trinidad and Tobago, and a 7-0 victory over Bermuda. Curacao currently tops its group and will qualify for the World Cup finals if it avoids defeat away at Jamaica in the final match.
Read at www.bbc.com
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