The tiny nations of Cape Verde and Curaçao became the Internet’s new favorite underdogs, gaining significant interest this summer as unlikely stars of the 2026 World Cup. Online searches spiked hard, not because of a viral influencer trip or a new resort, but because of soccer, capturing global hearts by going toe-to-toe with some of the biggest names in the game.
In the process, many learned that these lesser-known countries also offer some of the best beach destinations, and it all began by making World Cup history.
Making World Cup History
Cape Verde qualified for its first-ever World Cup last October, immediately making history as the smallest country by land area to reach the tournament, as a chain of 10 volcanic islands only slightly larger than the state of Rhode Island. But just five weeks later, Curaçao qualified. Half the size of Chicago (six times smaller than Rhode Island) with a population of roughly 155,00, it became the smallest nation by both population and land area ever to make a World Cup.
Cape Verde: Winning Hearts and Respect
Once again, Cape Verde made the headlines when it became the smallest country to reach a World Cup knockout round. Its 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha became a viral sensation almost overnight, with his social following skyrocketing to over 20 million. While the Blue Sharks were ultimately eliminated in a dramatic match against defending champions Argentina in extra time, many headed to search engines to find out where on Earth Cape Verde was. The team headed home, having won respect and hearts at the World Cup.
Curacao: Building Team Culture and a Passionate Foreign Fanbase
Curaçao’s remarkable run also captured global attention. The squad, with 25 of 26 players born in the Netherlands, bonded by learning the Curaçaoan national anthem by heart to build its national team culture. The Blue Wave made its World Cup debut in Houston, with Livano Comenencia scoring the tiny Caribbean nation’s first-ever World Cup goal during a 7-1 defeat to Germany. The team bounced back to hold Ecuador to a 0-0 draw in front of a passionate, adopted fanbase in Kansas City. While its historic journey ended on June 25, 2026, interest in the country didn’t stop there.
So, Where are These Places & Why Go?
Cape Verde is located off the coast of West Africa. The ten-island nation is sunny, warm, and dry nearly all year round. There are many ways to enjoy it, including long, sandy beaches like Santa Maria on the island of Sal. The famous 2.5-mile-long stretch is made up of fine white sands with calm turquoise waters for swimming. Just minutes away is Ponta Preta, backed by picturesque dunes and popular among local surfers when the wind picks up. Boa Vista, the easternmost island known as the “Sahara of the Atlantic,” is famous for its 34 miles of white sandy coastline. Over 11-mile-long Santa Monica Beach, widely regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful, is ideal for long strolls and sunset watching.
Curaçao is one of the “ABC Islands,” lying outside the main Caribbean hurricane belt, meaning visitors can enjoy more reliably good weather during the storm season, unlike most of the region’s other islands. Willemstad, the capital city, is renowned for its colorful Dutch colonial architecture along the waterfront. But most are drawn by the island’s calm, sheltered coves, providing some of the best snorkeling right from shore in the West Indies.
