Steve McClaren quits as Jamaica head coach with path to World Cup still open

Curaçao and Haiti, two of the smallest nations in the world, have made significant strides in qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Curaçao achieved a historic milestone by becoming the smallest nation to qualify for the tournament, while Haiti also secured its spot, showcasing the resilience and determination of these underdog teams.

Curaçao has qualified for the football World Cup for the first time in its history. The Caribbean island joins Panama and Haiti in securing a spot at the tournament, which is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Curaçao has made history by becoming the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup after a 0-0 draw against Jamaica. The Caribbean island, with a population of 156,000, surpassed Iceland, which previously held the record with about 400,000 inhabitants. The appointment of coach Dick Advocaat, who delayed his start due to financial issues within the national federation, laid the groundwork for this historic qualifying campaign.

Fans from Curaçao to Haiti celebrated as several underdog teams ended long waits to qualify for the World Cup. This moment marks a significant achievement for these nations, allowing them to compete alongside global sports icons.

Curaçao has made history by becoming the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup after securing a crucial 0-0 draw against Jamaica in Kingston. With a population of just 156,000, this tiny Caribbean nation joins Haiti and Panama in qualifying for the tournament, which will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico next year. The draw was pivotal in the Concacaf qualifying campaign, allowing Curaçao to achieve this remarkable feat.

Labour's Shabana Mahmood is proposing radical new limits on asylum seekers' ability to gain settled status, following a trend of increasingly strict immigration policies in the UK. This comes after Nigel Farage's Reform UK suggested ending indefinite leave to remain, and the Conservatives discussed deporting individuals previously considered legally settled. The shift in policy reflects a broader movement towards more hardline stances on immigration, raising concerns about the implications for asylum seekers in the UK.