42 countries have secured their place in the 2026 World Cup finals

There has been plenty to celebrate over the last few days as the final World Cup qualifying fixtures were played out in dramatic fashion.

Scotland snatched the headlines with their heroic triumph over Denmark, while Northern Ireland and Wales could join them and England through play-off victories to make it a full house of home nations in North America.

Hampden Park erupted as Scotland ended decades of hurt by reaching their first World Cup since 1998. Players from Rangers and Celtic celebrated the historic achievement, while another former Ibrox figure also has something huge to shout about.

Former Rangers manager makes World Cup history

Ex-Rangers manager Dick Advocaat is also headed for North America next year, and he’s in line to make history on two occasions.

The 78-year-old took charge of Rangers back in 1998, replacing Walter Smith in his first stint. Advocaat became the first foreign manage to take charge of the Gers and he won five trophies during his three years in Glasgow, including the treble in his maiden season.

Since his resignation in 2001, Advocaat has managed multiple clubs and national teams, including the Netherlands, Belgium, PSV and Sunderland. He is now the head coach of the Curacao, who have reached the 2026 World Cup following their draw with Jamaica.

Curacao will become the smallest-ever nation to compete at a World Cup when they make the trip to North America next year. The record was previously held by Iceland in 2018 but Curacao - a tiny Caribbean island - has a population of just over 150,000.

Curacao, known by fans as the Blue Family or the Blue Wave, topped their World Cup qualifying group with 12 points, one ahead of Jamaica.

Dick Advocaat to set new World Cup milestone

Experienced manager Advocaat will set a new milestone of his own when Curacao take to the world stage in just a matter of months.

At 78 years of age, the ex-Rangers boss will become the oldest manager to lead a team to the World Cup finals. He will break the record currently held by Otto Rehhagel, who was 71 years and 317 days old when he managed Greece during the 2010 World Cup.

Curacao join Scotland among the 42 countries who have qualified for the 2026 World Cup already. The remaining spaces will be determined by the play-offs, which will be held in March. Northern Ireland and Wales will have their chance to reach the finals, along with the likes of the Republic of Ireland, Sweden and Scotland’s Group C victims Denmark.