There will be plenty of big-name soccer teams and stars coming through South Florida this summer for the FIFA World Cup.
There’s a far lesser-known team on its way that will have no trouble capturing the imagination of fans throughout the world.
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The tiny island nation of Curacao is headed to the World Cup as the smallest country to ever qualify, with a population of about 156,000.
Although the “Blue Wave” isn’t scheduled to play any of its three opening-round matches at Hard Rock Stadium, it will use Boca Raton as its base, including training at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami honored by Donald Trump at White House
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 05: (L-R) Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF watches as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an event celebrating the 2025 MLS Cup Champions Inter Miami CF in the East Room of the White House on March 05, 2026 in Washington, DC. Inter Miami defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 to win their first MLS Cup championship. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami honored by Donald Trump at White House
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 05: (L-R) Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF watches as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an event celebrating the 2025 MLS Cup Champions Inter Miami CF in the East Room of the White House on March 05, 2026 in Washington, DC. Inter Miami defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 to win their first MLS Cup championship. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami honored by Donald Trump at White House
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 05: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an event celebrating 2025 MLS Cup Champions Inter Miami CF in the East Room of the White House on March 05, 2026 in Washington, DC. Inter Miami defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 to win their first MLS Cup championship. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami honored by Donald Trump at White House
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 05: (L-R) Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump as Inter Miami CF CEO and Managing Owner Jorge Mas looks on during an event celebrating the 2025 MLS Cup Champions Inter Miami CF in the East Room of the White House on March 05, 2026 in Washington, DC. Inter Miami defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 to win their first MLS Cup championship. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami honored by Donald Trump at White House
US President Donald Trump shakes hand with Argentinian star Lionel Messi during an event for Inter Miami CF, winners of the 2025 Major League Soccer Cup, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 5, 2026. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami honored by Donald Trump at White House
Inter Miami’s Argentine forward Lionel Messi and teammates listen to US President Donald Trump speak during an event honoring the winners of the 2025 Major League Soccer Cup, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 5, 2026. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami honored by Donald Trump at White House
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 05: Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF attends an event celebrating the 2025 MLS Cup Champions Inter Miami CF in the East Room of the White House on March 05, 2026 in Washington, DC. Inter Miami defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 to win their first MLS Cup championship. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami honored by Donald Trump at White House
Inter Miami’s Argentine forward Lionel Messi and teammates listen to US President Donald Trump speak during an event honoring the winners of the 2025 Major League Soccer Cup, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 5, 2026. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami honored by Donald Trump at White House
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 05: Players from Inter Miami CF arrive for an event celebrating the 2025 MLS Cup Champions Inter Miami CF in the East Room of the White House on March 05, 2026 in Washington, DC. Inter Miami defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 to win their first MLS Cup championship. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami honored by Donald Trump at White House
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 05: Luis Suárez (R) of Inter Miami CF smiles as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an event celebrating the 2025 MLS Cup Champions Inter Miami CF in the East Room of the White House on March 05, 2026 in Washington, DC. Inter Miami defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 to win their first MLS Cup championship. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami honored by Donald Trump at White House
US President Donald Trump applauds Argentinian coach Javier Mascherano (L) during an event for Inter Miami CF, winners of the 2025 Major League Soccer Cup, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 5, 2026. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami honored by Donald Trump at White House
US President Donald Trump shakes hands with coach Javier Mascherano during an event for Inter Miami CF, winners of the 2025 Major League Soccer Cup, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 5, 2026. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami honored by Donald Trump at White House
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 05: Luis Suárez (C) and players from Inter Miami CF arrive for an event celebrating the 2025 MLS Cup Champions Inter Miami CF in the East Room of the White House on March 05, 2026 in Washington, DC. Inter Miami defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 to win their first MLS Cup championship. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami honored by Donald Trump at White House
Inter Miami’s US-Argentine goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo followed by Inter Miami players arrive for an event in their honor hosted by US President Donald Trump in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 5, 2026. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami honored by Donald Trump at White House
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 05: The Philip F. Anschutz Trophy is seen before an event celebrating 2025 MLS Cup Champions Inter Miami CF in the East Room of the White House on March 05, 2026 in Washington, DC. Inter Miami defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 to win their first MLS Cup championship. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami honored by Donald Trump at White House
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives to attend an event hosted by President Donald Trump for Inter Miami CF, winners of the 2025 Major League Soccer Cup, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 5, 2026. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami honored by Donald Trump at White House
Former professional baseball player Alex Rodriguez attends an event for Inter Miami CF, winners of the 2025 Major League Soccer Cup, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 5, 2026. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images)
So it’s time for a crash course on this underdog nation.
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For starters, how do you pronounce Curacao?
Jun 21, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Curacao forward Joshua Zimmerman (13) celebrates after a group stage match of the 2025 Gold Cup against Canada at Shell Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Depends on whom you ask. According to the Cambridge Dictionary: cure-uh-SOW.
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According to YouTube, if you want to say it like a local: cor-SOW.
Where is Curacao? What is it known for?
Sitting pretty on the west coast of Curacao, Playa Kenepa is the Bentley of Beaches with cliffs that shade the cove and warm waves that keep a beat with the coconut palms. 04 Curacao Beach Playa Kenepa
The Dutch Caribbean nation is 40 miles north of Venezuela.
The island is famous for its 35 beaches.
How big is Curacao?
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It has a population of 156,000, making it only a bit bigger than West Palm Beach but comparable to Hollywood.
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The smallest U.S. state, Wyoming, is still about 3.5 times larger than Curacao.
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The island’s land mass is 171 square miles. You could fit nine Curacaos into Rhode Island.
Are there any familiar names from Curacao?
Oct 16, 2021; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves hall of fame member Andruw Jones tosses out the ceremonial first pitch before game one of the 2021 NLCS against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Try Andruw Jones, the Hall of Fame outfielder for the Atlanta Braves, nicknamed “The Curacao Kid.”
Did Curacao qualify for the World Cup in dramatic fashion?
That’s an understatement. Curacao traveled to Jamaica needing a draw to qualify. Things looked great in stoppage time with the score 0-0 until Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton blew his whistle to award Jamaica a penalty kick because of a tripping foul.
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Curacao, seeing its dream about to vanish into thin air, protested.
Fans prayed.
Meanwhile, the video assistant referee (VAR) reviewed the play, leading to the call being overturned.
Players pointed to the sky.
The celebration began.
A sad postscript for Curacao, Coach Dick Advocaat
Jun 21, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Curacao head coach Dick Advocaat talks to players during a break in the first half against Canada during a group stage match of the 2025 Gold Cup at Shell Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
The joy was interrupted when Dick Advocaat resigned as Curacao’s coach last month.
Advocaat left the team due to concerns with his daughter’s health.
Advocaat is a respected, longtime Dutch coach who at 78 years old was in position to become the oldest coach at a World Cup.
“I’ve always said that family comes before football,” Advocaat said, according to ESPN. He went on to say qualifying with the smallest country to make a World Cup is “one of the highlights of my career.”
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This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Get to know Curacao, smallest qualifier ever for the FIFA World Cup
