Curacao surpasses Iceland as smallest nation to qualify for World Cup

Steve McClaren subsequently resigned as Jamaica manager after being beaten to qualification by Curacao. Haiti and Panama have also qualified for the tournament

Curacao players and fans celebrate World Cup 2026 qualification. Pic: RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images

Haiti defied the odds to book a place at next year's World Cup on Tuesday and they will be joined by both Panama and Curacao, who became the smallest country to ever win a berth at the finals.

The three clinched top spots in their respective groups to advance from the North and Central American and Caribbean (CONCACAF) region to the 48-team finals in Canada, Mexico and the U.S.