The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the biggest in history — 48 teams, 104 matches, three host nations. The expansion from 32 to 48 teams created 16 additional spots, and those spots have opened the door to nations that have been dreaming of the World Cup for decades.
Four nations — Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan — will make their World Cup debuts in 2026. Their stories are different in almost every way: geography, population, football culture, the path to qualification. But they share one thing — the moment their name was drawn for the 2026 World Cup was the greatest in their football history.
Here is their story.
Long-Awaited Returns and Notable Absences
Before the debuts, some context on the broader changes to the 2026 field.
Nations returning after long absences:
- 🇮🇶 Iraq — first World Cup since 1986 (40 years)
- 🇦🇹 Austria — first since 1998 (28 years)
- 🇳🇴 Norway — first since 1998 (28 years)
- 🏴 Scotland — first since 1998 (28 years)
- 🇹🇷 Türkiye — first since 2002 (24 years)
- 🇨🇿 Czech Republic — first since 2006 (20 years)
- 🇿🇦 South Africa — first through qualifying since 2002 (hosted 2010)
Notable absences: Cameroon, Costa Rica, Denmark, Poland, Serbia, and Wales — all of whom qualified in 2022 — did not make it to 2026. Italy missed out for the third consecutive tournament. The Netherlands qualified but their golden generation has largely passed.
Now — the four nations stepping onto football's biggest stage for the very first time.
🇨🇻 Cape Verde — The Blue Sharks
Population: ~570,000 | Confederation: CAF | Group: H (vs Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia)
The story of Cape Verde's qualification is one of the tournament's great underdog tales. A small island nation off the west coast of Africa, Cape Verde qualified by winning its qualifying group and beating traditional power Cameroon along the way. With a population of roughly half a million, it's one of the smallest countries ever to reach the World Cup.
The Blue Sharks topped Group D ahead of Cameroon by four clear points, winning seven of their ten qualifying matches against tough African opponents. The streets of Cape Verde erupted in celebration when qualification was confirmed — scenes that the country's entire football history had never seen before.
Cape Verde gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and has been competing in World Cup qualifying since 2002. Their squad is built on a strong diaspora — many players have Portuguese and Dutch connections through their families, giving them access to European football development pathways.
The group: Cape Verde face Spain (bookmakers' favourite), Uruguay (two-time world champions), and Saudi Arabia. By any measure, this is an extremely difficult group for a debut nation. Winning a match would be considered a major achievement. Advancing from the group would be one of the World Cup's all-time stories.
One to watch: Júlio Tavares — the experienced striker who has been the heartbeat of Cape Verdean football for a decade.
🇨🇼 Curaçao — The Caribbean Upstarts
Population: ~150,000 | Confederation: CONCACAF | Group: E (vs Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador)
Curaçao holds the record for the smallest population of any nation to qualify, with just 150,000 people. They qualified by topping their CONCACAF group ahead of Jamaica.
The island — a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Caribbean — has a fascinating football identity. The island's strong connection to Netherlands football shows in their tactical approach. Many players hold dual citizenship and compete in European leagues. Legendary Dutch managers have been involved with Curaçao — Patrick Kluivert and Guus Hiddink both managed the side before Dick Advocaat guided the team to qualification at age 78.
The squad includes players from the Netherlands, Belgium, and across European football who chose to represent the island of their heritage. It is a genuinely cosmopolitan group — and one that plays with a technical quality that belies their tiny population.
The group: Curaçao face Germany, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador. Germany alone are a colossal challenge for a debut nation. But Curaçao are not simply there to make up the numbers — their European-influenced footballers have the technical quality to compete, even if advancing from this group requires everything to go right.
One to watch: Cuco Martina — the veteran defender with Premier League experience who brings leadership to a squad with limited tournament experience.
🇯🇴 Jordan — The Middle East Milestone
Population: ~10 million | Confederation: AFC | Group: J (vs Argentina, Algeria, Austria)
Jordan secured their World Cup spot with a convincing 3–0 away victory over Oman in June 2025. The result sparked massive celebrations across the country. They become the first Arab nation from the Middle East to make a World Cup debut through qualifying — as opposed to as a host nation.
Jordan built strong youth academies and improved their domestic league. Their steady rise in Asian competitions prepared them for this breakthrough moment. Their qualification campaign involved victories over regional rivals that would have seemed impossible a decade ago.
Seven Arab nations will compete at the 2026 World Cup — the highest representation from the region in tournament history. Jordan's qualification is the crowning achievement of that regional rise.
The group: Jordan are in Group J — with Argentina (defending champions), Algeria, and Austria. A draw against Algeria would be a remarkable result. Anything against Argentina would be historic. Jordan's realistic goal is to give a good account of themselves and demonstrate that Middle Eastern football has genuinely arrived.
One to watch: Mohammad Abu Hasheesh — the striker who scored against Egypt at the 2025 Arab Cup and has been Jordan's most productive forward through qualifying.
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan — Central Asia's Breakthrough
Population: ~37 million | Confederation: AFC | Group: K (vs Portugal, DR Congo, Colombia)
Uzbekistan's qualification is perhaps the most significant of the four debuts in terms of what it represents for a region. Central Asia has never had a World Cup representative — and Uzbekistan's arrival changes that.
Uzbekistan secured a historic qualification after finishing second in their group behind Iran. Under the guidance of former World Cup champion Fabio Cannavaro, the team showed impressive consistency with six wins, three draws and only one defeat in the decisive stage of qualifying.
Cannavaro — who lifted the World Cup trophy as Italy captain in 2006 — has transformed Uzbekistan into a disciplined, technically capable side. Their domestic league has improved significantly, and an increasing number of Uzbek players are competing in Asian and European leagues.
The group: Uzbekistan face Portugal (Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup), DR Congo, and Colombia. Portugal are heavy favourites to top the group. But Uzbekistan will relish the opportunity to face Ronaldo on the world stage — one of those matchups that nobody predicted and everyone will want to watch.
One to watch: Eldor Shomurodov — the striker who plays in Italy and has been Uzbekistan's most prominent player in European football for several years.
Why the Debuts Matter
These four teams aren't just feel-good stories — they represent a structural shift in global soccer. The World Cup is no longer just expanding in size; it's expanding in identity. Smaller nations, diaspora-driven teams and emerging programs are now part of the main event, not just the qualifying rounds.
History shows that debut nations can produce moments that define tournaments. Senegal beat France in 2002. Croatia reached the semi-final in their debut tournament in 1998. Iceland's debut at Euro 2016 became one of football's greatest underdog stories.
Whether Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan or Uzbekistan can produce something memorable in 2026 is unknown. What is certain is that for each of these nations, simply being there — hearing their anthem at a World Cup, playing in the world's greatest stadiums, representing their people on the biggest stage in sport — is already the most important football moment in their history.
The Four Debutants at a Glance
| Nation | Population | Group | Opponents | Manager |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇻 Cape Verde | ~570,000 | H | Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia | Pedro Brito "Bubista" |
| 🇨🇼 Curaçao | ~150,000 | E | Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador | Dick Advocaat |
| 🇯🇴 Jordan | ~10 million | J | Argentina, Algeria, Austria | Hussain Ammouta |
| 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan | ~37 million | K | Portugal, DR Congo, Colombia | Fabio Cannavaro |
Follow every match — including the debut nations — live at WC2026 Stats.