Kingston, Jamaica. Curaçao clinched a historic 0-0 draw with Jamaica on Tuesday to become the smallest nation by population ever to qualify for a World Cup. The Caribbean side will be joined by fellow CONCACAF qualifiers Panama and Haiti, which also secured their places.

Curaçao finished as the tournament’s only unbeaten team and topped Group B with 12 points, earning a World Cup berth for the first time in its history.

The team reached the milestone despite the absence of coach Dick Advocaat, who traveled back to the Netherlands last weekend for family reasons. The 78-year-old previously guided the Netherlands during three separate stints and has also managed South Korea, Belgium, and Russia.

Jamaica nearly broke the deadlock in the 54th minute when Greg Leigh’s header struck the right post. The hosts continued to threaten, with Shamar Nicholson hitting the crossbar in the 70th and Bailey Cadamarteri heading off the right post in the 87th.

In stoppage time, Jamaica was awarded a penalty after substitute Jeremy Antonisse brought down Dujuan Richards, but the decision was reversed following a video review.

Curaçao, with a population of 156,115 as of last January, becomes the smallest country to ever reach the World Cup. Iceland, just over 350,000 people, held the previous record after qualifying for the 2018 tournament in Russia.

Panama booked its second World Cup appearance after a 3-0 win over El Salvador, with first-half goals from César Blackman (17) and Erick Davis (45). José Luis Rodríguez added another in the 85th minute. Panama, whose only previous appearance was in 2018, topped Group A with 12 points. Suriname, which entered the final matchday ahead on goal difference, fell 3-1 to Guatemala and finished second with nine points.

Haiti delivered one of the tournament’s biggest surprises, winning Group C ahead of Honduras and Costa Rica after beating Nicaragua 2-0. Loicious Deedson scored in the ninth minute and Ruben Providence added another just before halftime. Haiti’s only previous World Cup appearance came in 1974 in Germany.

Tuesday’s CONCACAF results completed the field of six teams headed to the intercontinental playoffs in Mexico next March. Two will advance from a group featuring Iraq (Asia), Congo (Africa), Jamaica and Suriname (CONCACAF), Bolivia (South America), and New Caledonia (Oceania).

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