New Delhi, June 14 -- When Tahith Chong and Co. enter the Houston Stadium in Texas on Sunday to face former champions Germany at the FIFA World Cup 2026, Curacao, with a population of approximately 1.55 lakh, will make its presence felt on the global map. More than just an achievement in its sporting culture, Curacao's maiden World Cup qualification is a historic moment to savour for the people of the tiny island, located 40 miles north of Venezuela.

Curacao's journey to the 2026 World Cup started in the second round of CONCACAF qualifying in 2024, with wins over Barbados and Aruba. 12 months later, they stormed into the third round with dominating wins over Haiti and Saint Lucia. What followed were two draws against Trinidad and Tobago,...