On the verge of a sensational record. New Caledonia national team one step away from World Cup qualification

A tiny nation with a population of 270,000 is on the brink of a historic World Cup qualification. New Caledonia, a small territory in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, could make its debut at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. To achieve this, they need to secure a victory in their next match.

Details: Currently, New Caledonia is ranked 152nd in the FIFA rankings. On Friday, March 21, they confidently defeated Tahiti 3-0 in the OFC qualifying tournament's semi-final match, taking another step towards their dream. The decisive encounter will take place on March 24, when the team faces New Zealand. A victory will allow them to join the already qualified teams — the three host nations (USA, Canada, and Mexico) and Japan, which was the first to secure a spot.

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Reminder: Previously, the lowest-ranked team to participate in the World Cup was North Korea in 2010, which was ranked 105th at the time. If New Caledonia qualifies, they will set a new record.