Tiny Curacao on top of the world

A super-sized World Cup has paved the way for tiny Curacao and Cape Verde to book their places at sport's biggest global event next year.

Just as FIFA president Gianni Infantino predicted.

It was back in 2017 when world soccer's governing body announced controversial plans to expand the sport's flagship tournament from 32 teams to 48 in 2026. It would create opportunities, Infantino explained, for countries that "would never have dreamed to participate" in a World Cup.

"Congratulations to Curacao on an incredible achievement. In only your fourth cycle as an independent nation, you've inspired us all with your deserved qualification," Infantino said.

Some claimed the expansion was politically motivated. There were concerns about a dilution of quality and drama due to the expanded format.

That remains to be seen. But, the bumper version of the tournament — to be staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico — has already created fascinating storylines long before it kicks off next June.

Newcomers & comebacks

The Caribbean island of Curacao, an autonomous territory within the Netherlands kingdom, is the smallest nation by population ever to qualify for the World Cup — overtaking Iceland. Cape Verde is the third smallest.

Uzbekistan and Jordan are also first-time qualifiers, and the playoffs could yet see more new faces with New Caledonia, Suriname, Kosovo and Albania all in the mix.

There are places, as well, for nations making long-awaited World Cup comebacks.

Scotland returns for the first time since 1998. The same goes for Norway — meaning Erling Haaland will grace the biggest stage in soccer for the first time — and Austria. Haiti has qualified for only the second time in its history, having last been to the World Cup in 1974.

"This is the best feeling," Scotland coach Steve Clarke said. "We're there ... fantastic moment."