Fairy tales
Willemstad was ablaze with the night. The people of Curacao poured into the streets, dancing under the colorful lights of the Caribbean. The country, with a population of only around 150,000, had just officially secured its place in the 2026 World Cup finals. Through a tenacious CONCACAF qualifying campaign, they had overthrown regional powerhouses to become the smallest nation in the world to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Seeing the tears of joy from the players and fans of this country as they officially secured their ticket to North America this summer, one understands that this is not just the story of a football match, but also an inspiring story of perseverance. Now, the world will know more about the country and people of Curacao. This World Cup final ticket will also help further develop football in this country.
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| The joy of the Curacao players after securing their place in the 2026 World Cup finals. Photo: FIFA. |
Halfway around the world, the capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent – a crossroads of the ancient Silk Road – also experienced many sleepless nights. The Central Asian nation, traditionally more interested in wrestling and boxing than football, suddenly went wild for the beautiful game. This was their first time qualifying for the world's biggest football tournament.
Four countries have qualified for a World Cup final tournament for the first time in history: Uzbekistan, Jordan, Curacao, and Cabo Verde.
The increase in the number of teams from 32 to 48 is not simply an increase in the number of matches. The additional slots allocated to Africa (up to 9 direct qualification spots) and Asia (8 direct qualification spots) have transformed the already fiercely contested qualifying rounds into a stage for spectacular upsets. There, in the middle of the Atlantic, a small archipelago with a population of just over half a million has written a fairytale. Cabo Verde, with its stunning beaches, will have another opportunity to showcase its culture, people, cuisine, and scenery to the world through the World Cup. Furthermore, with the prize money for reaching the finals, Cabo Verde immediately planned to upgrade its national stadium, hire top European football experts, and arrange private flights for the team to ensure the players are in top physical condition.
Or take another Asian newcomer – the Jordan national team – which has poured millions of dollars into building the Jordan National Team Training Center complex in the capital, Amman. This Middle Eastern nation doesn't want to go to the US, Canada, or Mexico just to be a "punching bag." Their disciplined, physically demanding style of play, molded by foreign coaches, is turning Jordan into an intriguing enigma.
Adding more character to the festival
It's not just a first time; it's also the emergence of unique cultural colors. Cabo Verde fans, with their vibrant costumes and lively dances characteristic of the West African coast, will liven up the luxurious stands in Atlanta or Houston. Their team qualified for the tournament by topping a group that included the "Indomitable Lions" of Cameroon. This wasn't luck, but the result of a generation of talented players playing in Europe, who chose to dedicate themselves to their homeland over fame with big clubs.
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| Fans of Cabo Verde. Photo: Pinterest |
The emergence of these teams breaks the somewhat familiar monopoly of the old powerhouses. Spectators are already too familiar with classic matchups between European giants like Germany, France, England, and the Netherlands, or established names in South America like Brazil and Argentina. Now, the freshness, carefree spirit, and desire to prove themselves of teams like Curacao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan will be the most stimulating spice for the tournament. They play with the pride of being seen by the whole world for the first time.
The North American tournament is about to begin. The lush green pitches of the world's most modern stadiums await the runs of players accustomed to playing on the rough, uneven surfaces of their home countries. Regardless of the outcome, the fact that these "underdeveloped" nations are experiencing the World Cup atmosphere for the first time is a resounding victory for the development of grassroots football globally.
JUDGMENT
Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/the-thao/the-thao-quoc-te/202606/them-ban-sac-cho-ngay-hoi-world-cup-82472cf/
