Debutant nations secure spots in expanded 2026 World Cup
FIFA’s expansion to 48 teams opens the door for first-time qualifiers, with each nation bringing distinct developmental narratives to the North American tournament.
Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan have secured their places in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, marking their first-ever appearances at the tournament. The inclusion of these four nations is a direct result of the competition’s expansion from 32 to 48 teams, a structural change FIFA has framed as a watershed moment for inclusivity. Each debutant nation arrived at the finals through distinct qualifying campaigns, reflecting varied pathways to the global stage.
Cape Verde topped their African qualifying group ahead of Cameroon, securing their spot with a 3-0 victory over Eswatini in October. The archipelago nation, with a population of approximately 525,000, becomes the third-least populous country to participate in a World Cup, following Curacao and Iceland. Captain Ryan Mendes, playing for Turkish second-tier side Igdir, led the charge in qualification, building on a squad that previously reached the quarterfinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. The team relies on a mix of diaspora talent, including Dublin-born defender Roberto Lopes, who was reportedly recruited via LinkedIn, and experienced winger Garry Rodrigues.
Curacao secured their qualification with a 0-0 draw against Jamaica in November, becoming the smallest country by population to ever reach the World Cup finals. The squad consists entirely of players from the Dutch-based diaspora, with former Ajax and Barcelona star Patrick Kluivert having coached the side between 2015 and 2016. The team is managed by Dick Advocaat, the 78-year-old former Netherlands and PSV boss, who is set to become the oldest manager ever to attend a World Cup. Key player Tahith Chong, now at Sheffield United, remains the only squad member born on the island, having moved to the Netherlands at age 13.
Jordan finished second in their Asian qualifying group behind South Korea, with Rennes winger Musa Al-Taamari identified as the key creative force. Head coach Jamal Sellami has cited Morocco’s 2022 semi-final run as inspiration for the team’s ambitions, urging players to emulate that success. Sellami has conducted training camps in Antalya, Turkey, involving matches against Costa Rica and Nigeria to build experience before facing elite opposition. Midfielder Noor Al-Rawabdeh emphasised that the team aims to progress as far as possible in the tournament, rather than simply participating.
Uzbekistan clinched qualification with a 0-0 draw against the United Arab Emirates in June, ending a 34-year wait since joining FIFA in 1994. The team had previously failed to qualify in seven attempts since the break-up of the Soviet Union. While Slovenian coach Srecko Katanec guided the team to the cusp of the finals before health issues forced his resignation, Olympic team coach Timur Kapadze secured the ticket. Former Italian World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro has since taken over as coach, advising the squad to approach their debut with calm and positive anxiety.
The 2026 World Cup final will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, featuring a half-time show curated by Chris Martin and headlined by Madonna, Shakira and BTS. This performance marks the first half-time show in a football World Cup final and aims to support FIFA’s Global Citizen Education Fund, targeting $100 million for children worldwide.
