US EditionCuraçao and Cape Verde Qualify for a Super-Sized World Cup, but a 4-Time Champion Is on the Brink
The 2026 World Cup expansion increased direct berths for CONCACAF and Africa, enabling small nations like Curaçao and Cape Verde to qualify for the first time.
- Curaçao and Cape Verde have booked places at the expanded 2026 World Cup next year; Cape Verde qualified last month by beating Eswatini 3-0, while Curaçao drew 0-0 with Jamaica on Tuesday.
- It was back in 2017 when world soccer's governing body announced plans to expand the tournament from 32 to 48 teams for 2026, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino saying it would create opportunities for countries that "would never have dreamed" of participating.
- With 42 of the 48 spots now filled, CONCACAF secured six direct places including hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States, while Africa's spots rose to nine; Carl Worswick said Curaçao is "good at tapping into the diaspora."
- Four-Time world champion Italy finished second and must go through the playoffs, risking a third straight absence, while Scotland returned for the first time since 1998, coach Steve Clarke said Tuesday.
- Underdog nations now have greater ambition as the expansion narrows the gap, but some critics argued the expansion was politically motivated and worry it dilutes quality and drama.
29 Articles
29 Articles
Curaçao and Cape Verde qualify for a super-sized World Cup, but a 4-time champion is on the brink
MANCHESTER, England — A super-sized World Cup has paved the way for tiny Curaçao and Cape Verde to book their places at sport’s biggest global event next year. It was back in 2017 when FIFA announced controversial plans to expand…
Curaçao and Cape Verde qualify for a super-sized World Cup, but a 4-time champion is on the brink
A super-sized World Cup has paved the way for tiny Curaçao and Cape Verde to book their places at sport’s biggest global event next year. It was back in 2017 when FIFA announced controversial plans to expand the sport’s flagship…
Curaçao and Cape Verde qualify for a super-sized World Cup, but a 4-time champion is on the brink
A super-sized World Cup has paved the way for tiny Curaçao and Cape Verde to book their places at sport’s biggest global event next year. It was back in 2017 when FIFA announced controversial plans to expand the sport’s flagship…
Curaçao and Cape Verde qualify for a super-sized World Cup, but a 4-time champion is on the brink
A super-sized World Cup has paved the way for tiny Curaçao and Cape Verde to book their places at sport’s biggest global event next year. It was back in 2017 when FIFA announced controversial plans to expand the sport’s flagship…
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