5 Least Populous Nations Competing in the 2026 World Cup

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, attention is focused on major teams like France, England, and Spain. Today, we’ll highlight some of the smaller nations participating in the tournament.

This article lists the five smallest countries in this year’s World Cup by population size. The population figures are based on recent censuses, which may not all be from the same year, potentially affecting accuracy.

For context, the United Kingdom has nearly 70 million residents, while the USA has around 342 million.

Uruguay (3,499,451)

Uruguay, a nation with two World Cups, ranks among the smallest countries to ever compete. It’s surprising that this country has fewer than 3.5 million residents.

The team features standout players, notably Federico Valverde from Real Madrid.

Over the years, stars like Luis Suarez, Diego Forlan, and Diego Godin have represented Uruguay, achieving significant success relative to their size.

Bosnia & Herzegovina (3,412,000)

Bosnia & Herzegovina made headlines by qualifying for the World Cup after surprising Italy in a penalty shootout, marking one of the biggest shocks in qualification history.

The country has previously qualified for the World Cup in 2014 but did not progress beyond the group stage.

Edin Dzeko, now 40, could become one of the oldest players in World Cup history if he participates.

Qatar (3,214,609)

Qatar hosted the last World Cup and, though they lack a strong football history, they are making strides in the Asian football scene.

In 2022, they lost all three group matches, making them the first hosts to do so while scoring just one goal.

For a nation with a population under 3.5 million, their efforts in the upcoming 2026 World Cup will be challenging.

Cape Verde (491,233)

Cape Verde is the third least populated country in World Cup history, with fewer than 500,000 residents. Their qualification for the finals is impressive.

Their squad is mostly older players, with vice-captain Vonzinha, a goalkeeper, at 39 years old.

However, there are emerging talents, including 18-year-old Fabio Domingues from PSG’s academy.

Curacao (155,826)

Curacao is even smaller, with just over 150,000 people. Despite their tiny size, they will compete in the 2026 World Cup.

A former Dutch colony, Curacao has produced notable players for the Netherlands, like Jurrien Timber and Justin Kluivert.

Many players represent Curacao through heritage. Some compete in the EFL, including Ar’jany Martha from Rotherham United in League One.