Date Published: November 19, 2025, 11:11 AM.
Last Modified: November 19, 2025, 11:21 AM.
- Curacao has made its debut in the World Cup
- This Caribbean island is now the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup
- Curacao is renowned for its offshore casino gambling industry
The small Caribbean island nation of Curacao is set to participate in the 2026 World Cup.
On November 18, Curacao achieved a significant milestone by becoming the smallest country to qualify for the World Cup. Their spot on the global soccer stage was secured with a 0-0 draw against Jamaica, allowing them to top their group in the Concacaf qualifiers (Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football).
Throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, Curacao remained undefeated. In June, they triumphed over St. Lucia 4-0 and Haiti 5-1, drew with Trinidad and Tobago, and edged out Bermuda 3-2 in September. They also defeated group favorite Jamaica 2-0 in their October opener, followed by another tie with Trinidad and Tobago.
In November, Curacao dominated Bermuda with a 7-0 victory, leading to the group finale. The rematch against Jamaica ended in a draw, ultimately qualifying this island nation, with a population of only 156,115, for the prestigious tournament.
Curacao’s qualification solidifies its status as the smallest nation ever to compete in the World Cup, surpassing Iceland, which had previously held the record with a population of over 352,000 during the 2018 tournament.
In a strategic move, Curacao enhanced its team by recruiting a number of players from the Netherlands, a practice that FIFA permits, to facilitate their journey towards their inaugural World Cup.
Curacao’s Casino Landscape
As one of the ABC islands, alongside Aruba and Bonaire, Curacao is less dependent on tourism compared to many Caribbean nations. The country boasts significant financial services and trade sectors relevant to its size.
Curacao’s economy also heavily relies on its gaming industry. Besides traditional casinos, the nation is widely recognized as a key destination for offshore online casinos and sports betting platforms.
Until 2023, obtaining an online gaming license in Curacao was fairly straightforward. However, the country raised its compliance standards that year, introducing stricter regulations to combat money laundering and terrorism financing.
These modifications included enhanced oversight of licensed operators’ gaming activities to improve the nation’s previously tarnished image related to offshore betting entities.
Once criticized by nations like the United States and China for permitting their licensees to accept bets from foreign players, the Curacao Gaming Authority has now adopted the slogan, “Elevating the Curacao Gaming Industry.”
The Curacao Gaming Authority aims to safeguard public interests and uphold the integrity and stability of the Curaçao gaming sector by ensuring that all gaming is conducted transparently, responsibly, competitively, and devoid of criminal elements. This mission promotes the growth of the Curacao gaming industry,” stated the regulator.
The updates in online gaming regulations focus primarily on consumer protection and the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing. Nevertheless, regulatory reforms have not fully satisfied foreign countries advocating for Curacao to restrict iGaming companies from targeting players in their jurisdictions.
World Cup Betting Odds
The 2026 World Cup is set to take place across North America, featuring venues in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Cities selected as hosts include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Atlanta, Boston, Miami, New York, and Philadelphia.
The odds are steep for Curacao to advance far in the tournament. FanDuel has pegged Curacao’s chances at 1000/1 to win the Cup. A $1 wager on such an unlikely outcome would yield a return of $1,000.