Curacao's World Cup dream: 'Nothing is impossible'
Curacao is the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup. The Caribbean island is abuzz ahead of their first match on football's biggest
Curacao is the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup. The Caribbean island is abuzz ahead of their first match on football's biggest stage – against four-time champions Germany. With a population of just 150,000, Curacao has smashed Iceland's record as the country with the fewest inhabitants (350,000) to reach a World Cup. Curacao covers an area of roughly 440 square kilometers (171) square miles, making it about six times smaller than Rhode Island, the smallest US state. Curacao is best known for its beaches and diving spots, as well as a liqueur named after it. Baseball, not football is the top sport on the island, which has sent around 15 players to the Major Leagues in the United States. Probably their most famous is Andruw Jones, who after spending 17 seasons in the majors was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York this year. "Football used to be much bigger here. From the 1960s through the 80s, everyone watched it," Curacao sports reporter Carl Ruiter told DW. Ten teams compete in Curacao's top football league, the Prome Divishon. A domestic cup competition was established last year. Undefeated in qualifying World Cup qualifying gave football on the island a major boost. The stadiums were packed for the final home games. "It's a sign that the whole nation was truly invested — desperate to reach the World Cup and eager to support our national team," Ruiter said.
The World Cup's expansion to 48 teams clearly made it much easier for footballing minnows like Curacao to qualify, but still, their campaign was remarkable as the team went unbeaten throughout. Curacao held on for the single point required against Jamaica to qualify for their first World Cup Image: Collin Reid/AP Photo/picture alliance They went into their final match in Jamaica needing just a draw to qualify. With the score level at 0-0 in stoppage time though, Jamaica were awarded a penalty. However, to the team's and fan's relief, the decision was over turned after a VAR review and Curacao were through. After the final whistle, the players shed tears of joy. "We made the impossible possible," striker Kenji Gorre shouted into the cameras. "I'm at a loss for words. A dream is coming true." Euphoria on the island "I was in Kingston for the match," Ruiter said. "We didn't sleep." Back home, fans danced the night away, complete with fireworks and a parade of cars. The team was welcomed by fans the following day. "World Cup qualifying has really united our country," Ruiter said. People are clearly proud of the national team and players like captain Leandro Bacuna have become role models for youngsters who now want to play football themselves. Most players from the Netherlands But where does the success of the team ranked 82nd in the FIFA world rankings come from? In fact, the national team has only existed since 2011.
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