Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup is a major achievement, especially for countries with small populations; it represents a remarkable demographic feat.
Throughout the World Cup history, a handful of countries with tiny populations have managed to reach football’s biggest stage, proving that passion can sometimes outweigh population size.
From Iceland’s unforgettable 2018 adventure to the historic breakthroughs of Curaçao and Cape Verde for the 2026 edition, these underdogs have written some of the most inspiring stories in world football.
Curaçao made history by clinching a 2026 World Cup spot on a dramatic final night of CONCACAF qualifying, becoming the smallest nation (post–World War II) ever to reach the tournament.
With a population of roughly 156,000, the Caribbean island, a constituent country of the Netherlands, is less than half the size of Iceland (352,000), which held the previous record after qualifying in 2018.
“It’s an impossibility that is made possible,” winger Kenji Gorré told The Guardian. “It’s literally impossible for such a small population of 150,000, and now to go to the biggest pinnacle of football is unbelievable.”
As 42 of the 48 spots for the 2026 World Cup are now filled, several other small nations have also defied expectations to reach the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
While big nations such as Nigeria, China, India, Greece, Serbia, and Hungary failed to qualify, the headlines have instead been dominated by inspiring underdogs.
Cape Verde, set to make its World Cup debut in 2026, has a population of 525,000, making it the third-smallest nation ever to reach the finals, behind Curaçao and Iceland. Before Iceland’s 2018 qualification, Trinidad & Tobago (1.3 million) held the record as the least-populated World Cup participant, set in 2006.
Here is the list of the 10 smallest countries to ever qualify for a FIFA World Cup tournament:
Curaçao (2026) – 156,000
Iceland (2018) – 352,000
Cape Verde (2026) – 525,000
Trinidad and Tobago (2006) – 1.3 million
Northern Ireland (1958) – 1.4 million
Paraguay (1950) – 1.5 million
Kuwait (1982) – 1.7 million
United Arab Emirates (1990) – 1.9 million
Slovenia (2002) – 2 million
Uruguay (1950) – 2.2 million
