Four Teams Set for Historic World Cup 2026 Debut

FIFA considers the expansion of the 2026 World Cup from 32 to 48 teams a milestone for inclusivity, opening the door to nations that have never qualified. This summer in North America, four teams will make their first appearance at football's greatest event: Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan.

Cape Verde

• FIFA Ranking: 69
• Group H fixtures: Spain (15 June, Atlanta), Uruguay (21 June, Miami, USA), Saudi Arabia (26 June, Houston, USA)
• Player to watch: Garry Rodrigues

With a population of around 525,000, this small archipelago off the coast of Senegal will become the third least-populated nation ever to play at a World Cup, after Curacao and Iceland. Their brightest star is 35-year-old midfielder Ryan Mendes, who led the team to qualification following a 3-0 win over Eswatini in October. Cape Verde topped their qualifying group, edging out once-mighty Cameroon. Although heavily reliant on players of Cape Verdean descent from Portugal, the Netherlands and Ireland, the team is confident. “We certainly aren't going there just to play three games and come home,” Mendes told AFP.

Curacao

• FIFA Ranking: 82
• Group E fixtures: Germany (14 June, Houston, USA), Ecuador (20 June, Kansas City, USA), Ivory Coast (25 June, Philadelphia, USA)
• Player to watch: Tahith Chong

“Small island, big dreams” is the motto of the team from Curacao – the least populous nation ever to qualify for a World Cup, with just 160,000 residents. Under 78-year-old coach Dick Advocaat, who will become the oldest manager in World Cup history, Curacao secured their spot with a 0-0 draw against Jamaica. The squad is made up entirely of players based abroad, notably Tahith Chong, a former Netherlands youth international now with Sheffield United. Former star Patrick Kluivert, who once coached Curacao, called the achievement “wonderful for the future of football on the island.”

Jordan

• FIFA Ranking: 63
• Group J fixtures: Austria (16 June, San Francisco, USA), Algeria (22 June, San Francisco, USA), Argentina (27 June, Dallas, USA)
• Player to watch: Musa Al-Taamari

Moroccan coach Jamal Sellami has urged his players to follow the example of Morocco, who reached the World Cup semifinals in 2022. “In major tournaments, many teams can surprise. Morocco did it, and that gives us belief,” he told Reuters. Jordan secured an automatic place as runners-up in the Asian qualifying group behind South Korea. Their standout player is Rennes winger Musa Al-Taamari, who shone at the 2024 Asian Cup. “We're not just here to participate,” midfielder Noor Al-Rawabdeh insisted. “Sometimes we can't sleep thinking about it; it's a dream come true.”

Uzbekistan

• FIFA Ranking: 50
• Group K fixtures: Colombia (17 June, Mexico City, Mexico), Portugal (23 June, Houston, USA), DR Congo (27 June, Atlanta, USA)
• Player to watch: Abdukodir Khusanov

Ravshan Irmatov, vice-president of the Uzbekistan Football Association and a former referee at three World Cups, called the ticket “a 34-year dream for 38 million people.” Uzbekistan qualified for the first time after seven failed attempts since joining FIFA in 1994. The squad is largely domestic-based, but the standout is 22-year-old Manchester City centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov. Former coach Srecko Katanec came close to glory before stepping down for health reasons, and Olympic team coach Timur Kapadze completed the job. Current coach Fabio Cannavaro, a World Cup winner in 2006, told his players: “You have nothing to lose. Enjoy it – if you're anxious, turn it into something positive.”