Curacao become smallest nation to reach World Cup with the help of Burnley man
Curacao have become the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup – and a Burnley man helped them do it.
The tiny Caribbean island, with a population of around 160,00 people, roughly the same as English town Telford, drew 0-0 with Jamaica last night to seal top spot in their group.
The previous record was held by Iceland in 2018 – and their population is an estimated 390,000.
Curacao also has a land area of just 171 square miles, smaller than the Isle of Man.
Burnley’s Shurandy Sambo started Tuesday’s stalemate, which was enough for Curacao to seal automatic qualification.
While Jamaica can still qualify through the play-offs, their boss – former England manager Steve McClaren – handed in his resignation after the game.
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Sambo is currently out on loan with Sparta Rotterdam, where he’s made 10 appearances so far this season.
The 24-year-old, a 2024 signing from PSV Eindhoven, saw just 18 minutes of league action during his debut campaign with the Clarets before being sent back to the Netherlands in the summer.
His one and only league cameo came off the bench during the early season 1-0 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Sambo’s only start, meanwhile, came four days later against Wolves in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
Both of his appearances for the club came in August 2024, the opening month of the season, and he never featured again.
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