WILLEMSTAD, HOUSTON – Curaçao is set to achieve another historic milestone during its debut appearance at the FIFA World Cup 2026 when the island officially receives a Guinness World Records certificate recognizing it as the smallest nation ever to qualify for football’s biggest tournament.
The ceremony will take place on Sunday, June 14, in Houston, Texas, the same day Curaçao plays its first-ever FIFA World Cup match.
According to an invitation issued by the Ministry of General Affairs and Foreign Relations and CINEX, the Curaçao Investment & Export Promotion Agency, the Guinness World Record recognizes Curaçao as the smallest country in history, by both population and land area, to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.
With a population of approximately 156,000 and a land area of 444 square kilometers, Curaçao surpasses the previous record held by Iceland, which qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup with a population of around 350,000.
The official ceremony will be held at the Hotel ZaZa Museum District in Houston and is expected to include senior government officials, representatives of the Curaçao Football Federation (FFK), invited guests, and members of the international media.
Prime Minister Gilmar “Pik” Pisas is scheduled to address attendees during the event. The official Guinness World Records certificate will be presented to Gilbert Martina, president of the Curaçao Football Federation.
Officials describe the achievement as a testament to the island’s determination and football development, highlighting how a small Caribbean nation succeeded in reaching the world’s most prestigious football competition.
“This is a story of a small island that dared to dream and delivered on the biggest stage in football,” organizers said in the invitation to international media outlets.
The event is being held on an invitation-only basis, with limited capacity for members of the press.
Organizers also emphasized that Guinness World Records considers the achievement a sporting and national accomplishment rather than a political event. Media outlets have been advised that while they are free to report on the record and the ceremony, the Guinness World Records logo may not be used without a separate licensing agreement.
The recognition adds another chapter to what has already become one of the most remarkable moments in Curaçao’s sporting history. The island’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup marked the first time a Curaçao national football team has reached the tournament since the country obtained autonomous status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
For many supporters, the World Cup represents more than a sporting achievement. It is viewed as an opportunity to showcase Curaçao on a global stage and to inspire future generations of athletes.
The Guinness World Record presentation will take place just hours before Curaçao begins its historic World Cup journey, making June 14 a landmark day in the island’s history both on and off the football field.