People play soccer in Willemstad, Curacao, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Tiny Curacao is headed to the World Cup, making history as the smallest territory by population and land mass to qualify.
Brenton Balentien, known as Blue Face, a leader of soccer fans of Curacao’s national soccer team, cheers in Willemstad, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)A boy plays soccer in Willemstad, Curacao, Thursday, May 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)Inter Willemstad and Centro Dominguito play a local league soccer match in Willemstad, Curacao, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)Commuters drive past a billboard displaying the Curacao national soccer team in Willemstad, Curacao, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)A boy leaves soccer practice in Willemstad, Curacao, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)Curacao national soccer team jerseys hang for sale at a store in Willemstad, Curacao, Thursday, May 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)Tourists walk past a mural celebrating Curacao’s qualification for the FIFA World Cup in Willemstad, Curacao, Thursday, May 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)Children train at the C-Stars United soccer academy in Willemstad, Curacao, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)Brenton Balentien, known as Blue Face, a leader of soccer fans of Curacao’s national soccer team, holds up his daughter in Willemstad, Curacao, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)Fans of Inter Willemstad cheer during a Curacao soccer league match against Centro Dominguito in Willemstad, Curacao, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)Tiny Curacao is headed to the World Cup, making history as the smallest territory by population and land mass to qualify.
The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.
