MBABANE -The expansion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to 48 teams was designed to invite more of the world to the party.
However, as the final lineup is confirmed for the North American showpiece this June, it has also dismantled a long-standing myth: That a small population is a valid excuse for footballing failure.
Two nations, both significantly smaller than Eswatini, which has an estimated population of 1.2 million, have proven that geography and demographics are no match for technical ambition. Curaçao and Cape Verde have officially secured their places among the elite, leaving ‘bigger’ nations like Eswatini to wonder what might have been.
Curaçao has made history as the smallest nation ever to qualify for an International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) World Cup. With a population of approximately 185 000, which is less than a sixth of Eswatini’s, they have shattered the record previously held by Iceland. Under the guidance of Fred Rutten, ‘The Blue Wave’ remained unbeaten throughout their North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) qualifying campaign, blending local talent with dual-nationals from the Dutch Eredivisie.
Meanwhile, Cape Verde, with a population of about 490 000, has become the smallest African nation to reach the global stage. Despite having less than half the people of Eswatini, the ‘Blue Sharks’ topped a Confederation of African Football (CAF) qualifying group that included heavyweights like Cameroon, proving their arrival is no fluke.
For Eswatini, these success stories provide a sobering contrast. Despite a population of about 1.2 million, Sihlangu have never qualified for a major tournament, including the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The national side are currently reeling from a 4-1 aggregate loss to unranked Eritrea in the AFCON preliminary rounds, which is a result that stings even more considering Cape Verde emerged victorious from a qualifying group that Eswatini also occupied.
As the world prepares for kick-off in June, the lesson is clear: Success is not a numbers game. While Eswatini struggles to find its footing against unranked opposition, nations with a fraction of its population are preparing to face the world’s best. For the smallest qualifiers, the size of the heart has clearly outpaced the size of the census.
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