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 into 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 season’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 individuals, 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 downside, leaving his assistants in cost.
It didn’t have a number of gamers. An damage to September hero Tahith Chong meant he was a part of a sequence of gamers who despatched messages to the workforce on Instagram reasonably than stepping on the sector of “The Workplace” together with his Blue Wave teammates.
What it did have was a sport plan to push for a aim, though some extent can be sufficient to make historical past. It had a resolute again line — a mixture of latest addition Armando Obispo and Roshon van Eijma, a Curaçao participant since 2021 partnering within the heart — 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 exceptional workforce effort from a bunch that has not been collectively lengthy. A constituent nation of the Netherlands, practically each participant who fits up for Curaçao was born in Holland however is eligible to play for Curaçao because of FIFA guidelines that permit gamers to symbolize the nation of their dad and mom’ or grandparents’ beginning.
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The problem, then, is usually convincing gamers to sacrifice a possible future with the Netherlands nationwide workforce in favor of lengthy journeys throughout the Atlantic Ocean throughout worldwide breaks, preventing 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 heart 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 workforce in Europe.
But, as the ultimate whistle blew Tuesday, few have been rethinking something about their resolution. That they had simply delivered their nation one in every of its happiest-ever moments, all carrying the identical badge on their shirt, all waving the identical flags in celebration.
The scoreless draw means Jamaica, a workforce that may name on Europe-based skills like Brentford heart again Ethan Pinnock, Leicester Metropolis attacking midfielder Bobby De Cordova-Reid and QPR midfielder Isaac Hayden amongst others (although an inopportune damage to Leon Bailey denied the possibility to star the Roma winger), will take an extended highway 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 be taught Thursday morning which opponents it might want to beat in a three-team pathway that may embrace 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 workforce,” McClaren stated. “This resolution comes from respect, at all times the respect of the badge, the supporters and the gamers. Generally the very best factor a frontrunner can do is acknowledge when a recent voice, new power and a distinct perspective is required to maneuver this workforce ahead.”
Curaçao was in a position to transfer ahead even with out the bodily presence of its legendary supervisor. The Curaçao federation at all times has proven a willingness to usher in an enormous identify to steer the cost. Guus Hiddink and Patrick Klluivert are a part of a sequence of huge names who couldn’t do what Advocaat and his assistant Dean Gorré and Cor Pot have been in a position to obtain on this cycle.
However a much less well-known identify kick-started Curaçao’s present success. Remko Bicentini, who had an unremarkable taking part in profession with Dutch squad NEC, started laying the groundwork for this mission even when Curaçao was nonetheless know as Netherlands Antilles. That nation dissolved in 2010, when Curaçao and Sint Maarten turned autonomous nations throughout the Kingdom of the Netherlands, simply as Aruba had in 1986.
It’s not an extended historical past as a nation, nor as a workforce, 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 wherever else on this planet but in addition Ergilio Hato, a legendary goalkeeper within the Nineteen Forties and Nineteen 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 listing of native legends. The Bacuna brothers, Leandro who began taking part in for Curaçao in 2016 and Juninho, long-time goalkeeper Room, ahead Kenji Gorré, plus new recruits like heart 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 can take pleasure in every 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 taking part in because the smallest nation ever to take its place on the world’s greatest stage.
