The dream was alive Tuesday in Jamaica, after which it very all of a sudden regarded prefer it wasn’t. A scoreless draw, and Curaçao would turn out to be the smallest nation ever to make the World Cup. A 1-0 Jamaica win — because the penalty referee Ivan Barton had simply whistled would make it more likely — and Curaçao must take the lengthy method to subsequent summer time’s World Cup.
Then, the Video Assistant Referee agreed, with the Salvadoran referee taking a fast look and noting that Jeremy Antonisse had rolled the ball away earlier than any contact with Jamaica ahead Dujuan “Whisper” Richards. No penalty. No stress. No targets towards. Moments later, Barton blew the ultimate whistle.
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Curaçao, a rustic of simply greater than 155,000 folks, was into the World Cup.
Curaçao didn’t have its coach. Legendary supervisor Dick Advocaat needed to return to the Netherlands to take care of a private drawback, leaving his assistants in cost.
It didn’t have a number of gamers. An harm to September hero Tahith Chong meant he was a part of a sequence of gamers who despatched messages to the group on Instagram somewhat than stepping on the sector of “The Workplace” along with his Blue Wave teammates.
What it did have was a sport plan to push for a aim, regardless that some extent could be sufficient to make historical past. It had a resolute again line — a mix of latest addition Armando Obispo and Roshon van Eijma, a Curaçao participant since 2021 partnering within the middle — in entrance of veteran goalkeeper Eloy Room. That pressured the hosts into determined pictures with out hazard. The Reggae Boyz tried 13 pictures, however just one discovered the goal.
It was a outstanding group effort from a gaggle that has not been collectively lengthy. A constituent nation of the Netherlands, almost each participant who fits up for Curaçao was born in Holland however is eligible to play for Curaçao because of FIFA guidelines that enable gamers to symbolize the nation of their mother and father’ or grandparents’ start.
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The problem, then, is usually convincing gamers to sacrifice a possible future with the Netherlands nationwide group in favor of lengthy journeys throughout the Atlantic Ocean throughout worldwide breaks, combating to symbolize the 155,000 plus on Curaçao. Chong was a long-time holdout, having progressed via the youth ranks of the Oranje. Present Dutch internationals like Arsenal middle again Jurriën Timber and Bournemouth ahead Justin Kluivert are amongst those that would’ve been eligible had they not opted for the way more celebrated group in Europe.
But, as the ultimate whistle blew Tuesday, few have been rethinking something about their choice. They’d simply delivered their nation one in every of its happiest-ever moments, all sporting the identical badge on their shirt, all waving the identical flags in celebration.
The scoreless draw means Jamaica, a group that may name on Europe-based abilities like Brentford middle again Ethan Pinnock, Leicester Metropolis attacking midfielder Bobby De Cordova-Reid and QPR midfielder Isaac Hayden amongst others (although an inopportune harm to Leon Bailey denied the prospect to star the Roma winger), will take an extended street to the World Cup.
Curaçao gamers and followers have a good time World Cup 2026 qualification after a 0-0 draw with Jamaica on the Nationwide Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica on Nov. 18, 2025.
(RICARDO MAKYN by way of Getty Photos)
The Reggae Boyz certified for March’s inter-confederation playoff and can study Thursday morning which opponents it might want to beat in a three-team pathway that may embody groups from different confederations. They’ll be on that journey with out supervisor Steve McClaren. The previous England supervisor and Manchester United assistant introduced after the match that he’s stepping down from his position.
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“After deep reflection and an sincere evaluation of the place we’re and the place we have to go, I’ve determined to step down as the pinnacle coach of the Jamaican nationwide group,” McClaren mentioned. “This choice comes from respect, all the time the respect of the badge, the supporters and the gamers. Generally the very best factor a pacesetter can do is acknowledge when a recent voice, new vitality and a distinct perspective is required to maneuver this group ahead.”
Curaçao was capable of transfer ahead even with out the bodily presence of its legendary supervisor. The Curaçao federation all the time has proven a willingness to herald an enormous identify to guide the cost. Guus Hiddink and Patrick Klluivert are a part of a sequence of massive names who couldn’t do what Advocaat and his assistant Dean Gorré and Cor Pot have been capable of obtain on this cycle.
However a much less well-known identify kick-started Curaçao’s present success. Remko Bicentini, who had an unremarkable enjoying profession with Dutch squad NEC, started laying the groundwork for this venture even when Curaçao was nonetheless know as Netherlands Antilles. That nation dissolved in 2010, when Curaçao and Sint Maarten turned autonomous nations inside the Kingdom of the Netherlands, simply as Aruba had in 1986.
It isn’t an extended historical past as a nation, nor as a group, although Curaçao can level to loads of sporting success on the baseball diamond, the place it produces extra Main Leagues Baseball gamers per capita than anyplace else on the planet but in addition Ergilio Hato, a legendary goalkeeper within the Nineteen Forties and Fifties for whom the nationwide stadium is known as.
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Now, it’s the present era that may add their identify to the checklist of native legends. The Bacuna brothers, Leandro who began enjoying for Curaçao in 2016 and Juninho, long-time goalkeeper Room, ahead Kenji Gorré, plus new recruits like middle again Obispo and attacker Sonja Hansen, each of whom arrived in October and have been key to securing the place in North America.
The muse put down by the common gamers allowed them to rapidly mesh with the brand new faces. They secured well-known outcomes like a 2-0 win over Jamaica in Curaçao, a 7-0 thrashing of Bermuda earlier this moth and, now, a 0-0 attract Kingston they’ll always remember.
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The dream has been achieved for Curaçao. Now, it should take pleasure in every little thing that comes with a spot within the World Cup: The thrill of the draw, the preparation, new faces becoming a member of up and outdated ones ensuring they’re in peak efficiency. Then, listening to the anthem and enjoying because the smallest nation ever to take its place on the world’s greatest stage.