Curacao to Cape Verde: Unmissable minnows at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The expansion of the FIFA World Cup to 48 teams has been met with much debate. Purists worried about diluted quality, while romantics dreamed of fairy tales. As the tournament begins in Canada, Mexico and the United States, it’s the romantics who are winning. The bigger screen has opened the door for traditional football minnows to step into the global spotlight.

Among the impressive stories of this tournament, four nations stand out – Haiti, Curao, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their journeys are defined by resilience, tactical foresight and a unique opportunity to change their football history forever.

Check out today’s complete FIFA World Cup coverage

Haiti: Breaking the 52-year exile

For Haiti, qualifying for North America 2026 is the culmination of a deeply emotional dream. Les Grenadiers have not graced the world stage since 1974, so their return is a moment of immense national pride. Led by French head coach Sbastien Migno, the Caribbean nation successfully went through a rigorous qualification process to book their place.

Haiti have been drawn into a brutal Group C alongside European dark horses Scotland, African giants Morocco and five-time world champions Brazil. Mign’s 26-man squad is built around seasoned professionals from Europe who intensely combine tactical discipline with dynamic speed on the break. Seasoned goalkeeper and captain Johny Placide provides leadership from the back, supported by KAA Gent defender Jean-Kvin Duverne.

The inclusion of Ferencvros forward Lenny Joseph adds a fresh, dynamic dimension to Les Grenadiers’ frontline, perfectly complementing the established physical presence and European pedigree of target man Frantzdy Pierrot.

Spotlight Player: Duckens Nazon

Nicknamed “Le Duc” (The Duke), the nomadic striker is the emotional heart and undisputed icon of Haitian football. As the nation’s all-time leading scorer in the competition, his journey to the tournament has been extraordinary – overcoming a suspended domestic season with Iranian club Esteghlal by devising his own isolated training programmes. Facing familiar surroundings against Scotland, where he once enjoyed a spell on loan, Nazon’s veteran intelligence and clinical edge will be central to Haiti’s hopes of staging a monumental shock.

Haiti World Cup Team

GoalkeepersStarring: Josue Duverger, Alexandre Pierre, Johnny Placide.

Defenders: Ricardo Ade, Carlens Arcus, Hannes Delcroix, Jean-Kevin Duverne, Martin Experience, Duke Lacroix, Wilguens Paugain, Keeto Thermoncy.

Reserves: Carl Fred Sainte, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Leverton Pierre, Danley Jean Jacques, Woodensky Pierre, Dominique Simon.

Attackers: Josue Casimir, Louicius Deedson, Derrick Etienne Jr., Yassin Fortune, Wilson Isidor, Lenny Joseph, Duckens Nazon, Frantzdy Pierrot, Ruben Providence.

Curacao: The smallest nation makes history

With a population of just over 150,000, the tiny Caribbean island of Curacao became the smallest country to ever qualify for the FIFA World Cup. Their presence in North America is a triumph of elite recruitment. For years, long-serving figures such as the goalkeeper Eloy Room systematically persuaded high-ranking Dutch citizens with dual citizenship to pledge allegiance to the island.

Led by veteran Dutch tactician Dick Advocaat, Curacao proved fearless in qualifying. The debutants, who are placed in a formidable Group E, face an unenviable opening against Germany, Ecuador and Ivory Coast. The team boasts significant technical quality, with the Bacuna brothers (Leandro and Juninho) in midfield alongside former Premier League winger Tahith Chong.

Spotlight Player: Jurgen Locadia

The former PSV Eindhoven and Premier League striker initially hoped to be called up to the Netherlands early in his career. Now leading the line for the Blue Wave, Locadia’s top European experience, link-up play and clinical edge provide Curao with the elite offensive spark needed to trouble football’s heavyweights.

Curacao World Cup Team

Goalkeepers: Tyrick Bodack, Trevor Doornbusch, Eloy Room.

Defenders: Riechedly Bazoer, Joshua Brenet, Roshon van Eijma, Sherel Floranus, Deveron Fonville, Jurien Gaari, Armando Obispo, Shurandy Sambo.

Reserves: Juninho Bacuna, Leandro Bacuna, Livano Comenencia, Kevin Felida, Ar’jany Martha, Tyrese Noslin, Godfried Roemeratoe.

AttackersCast: Jeremy Antonisse, Tahith Chong, Kenji Gorre, Sontje Hansen, Gervane Kastaneer, Brandley Kuwas, Jurgen Locadia, Jearl Margaritha.

Cape Verde: Giants of the Atlantic

The Cape Verdean Blue Sharks have been steadily gaining respect in African football, but topping their qualifying group ahead of continental powerhouses Cameroon to secure their first place at the World Cup is their crowning achievement. Head coach Bubista, representing a nation of just 500,000 people, has created one of the most organized and dangerous counter-attacking units at the tournament.

Cape Verde will find themselves in Group H, where they are set to face European champions Spain, South American titans Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. The squad is based on an experienced defensive core that includes 39-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha and formidable Villarreal centre-back Logan Costa.

Spotlight Player: Ryan Mendes

The timeless captain remains the creative heart and emotional leader of the Blue Sharks. Mendes’ blistering pace, experienced intelligence and flair for transitioning from the flank will determine whether Cape Verde can pull off a shock.

Cape Verde World Cup Team

GoalkeepersCast: Vozinha, Marcio Rosa, CJ dos Santos.

Defenders: Diney Borges, Sidny Cabral, Logan Costa, Steven Moreira, Wagner Pina, Joao Paulo Fernandes, Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes, Kelvin Pires, Ianique ‘Stopira’ Tavares.

Reserves: Telmo Arcanjo, Laros Duarte, Deroy Duarte, Jamiro Monteiro, Kevin Pina, Yannick Semedo.

AttackersCast: Gilson Benchimol, Jovane Cabral, Nuno da Costa, Dailon Livramento, Ryan Mendes, Garry Rodrigues, Willy Semedo, Helio Varela.

DR Congo: The Leopards Reclaim the Stage

Strictly speaking, the Democratic Republic of the Congo are not debutants. They competed as Zaire in 1974. However, after a painful 52-year absence, their qualification feels like a rebirth. Sebastien Desabre’s side embarked on a long and grueling journey to finally beat Jamaica in the high-stakes intercontinental play-off final in Guadalajara thanks to an Axel Tuanzebe goal.

The Leopards have been drawn in an interesting Group K that includes Uzbekistan, Colombia and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. Desabre assembled a highly athletic and tactically flexible team. Lille’s Chancel Mbemba and Burnley’s Tuanzebe make up the defensive unit, while West Ham’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka adds Premier League pedigree to the midfield.

Spotlight Player: Yoane Wassa

The Newcastle United forward is the undisputed focal point of the Congolese attack. Gifted with explosive pace, intelligent movement off the ball and versatility, Wissa enters the tournament in top form. His ability to unlock an elite defense will be vital when the Leopards take on Portugal in Houston.

DR Congo World Cup Team

GoalkeepersStarring: Lionel Mpasi, Thimothy Fayulu, Matthieu Epolo.

Defenders: Chancel Mbemba, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Alex Tuanzebe, Arthur Masuaku, Joris Kayembe, Steve Kapuadi, Aaron Tshibola, Dylan Batubinsika, Gdon Kalulu.

ReservesCast: Noah Sadiki, Samuel Moutoussamy, Edo Kayembe, Charles Pickel, Nathanael Mbuku, Brian Cipenga, Meschac Elia, Gael Kakuta.

AttackersCast: Theo Bongonda, Fiston Wisdom, Cedric Bakambu, Simon Banza, John Wissa.

– The end

Issued by:

Kingshuk Kusari

Published on:

10 Jun 2026 12:24 IST