Each football enthusiast envisions their country participating in a World Cup tournament, yet, for a significant number of FIFA’s 211 constituent bodies, this aspiration continues to be nothing more than a reverie.
Nevertheless, the enlargement of football’s premier spectacle to include 48 squads for the 2026 championship, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, has offered an opening to countries that would have previously been unsuccessful. Concurrently, other nations have found their momentum precisely when it mattered, propelled by exceptional generations towards their inaugural final appearances.
The highest number of World Cup newcomers recorded (excluding the initial 1930 event) stands at six. Angola, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, and Ukraine each marked their first appearances in the 2006 contest.
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Although up to nine prospective new entrants were contenders for 2026 prior to the March playoff matches, just four of those squads will be present when the championship commences on June 11.
Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan have secured their spots, but what information do we possess concerning these countries, both athletically and culturally? For the majority of global spectators tuning in this summer, the answer is rather limited.
We consulted with a specialist from every participating nation making its debut to gain a deeper understanding of the 2026 World Cup’s lesser-known teams.
An archipelago formed by 10 volcanic islands situated off Africa’s western seaboard, Cape Verde clinched its position by triumphing in Africa’s Group D, outperforming Cameroon for the leading position.
Possessing a populace of merely 525,000 individuals, Cape Verde stands as the third-least populous country to secure World Cup qualification, following Iceland in 2018 and co-2026 debutant Curaçao. The pivotal victory occurred on Oct. 13, as Cape Verde defeated Eswatini 3-0 on their home ground, igniting enthusiastic festivities in the capital city, Praia.
“On the day of the Eswatini match, I aimed to preserve my energy, yet my gut churned with apprehension,” Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes, a defender for Cape Verde, informed ESPN.
“I had planned for a pre-match rest, but then a teammate retrieved the speakers and began playing tunes. Everyone commenced dancing. It was as if we then understood that all would be well; it was destined to be our moment.”
Melodies and cuisine have played a substantial role in unifying the Cape Verde squad, whose members convene from across the globe for their international matches.
“Music constitutes a significant element of the locker-room ambiance,” Lopes said. “We perform customary melodies, funaná tunes, a blend of classic and contemporary styles. Cachupa (a stew featuring beans and corn) is consumed by us in the evening and at breakfast. It represents the national culinary staple, and we share it collectively.”
The Blue Sharks reached the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013 and 2023, thus, they are accustomed to significant tournaments, yet the immense scale of securing a World Cup berth was undeniable.
“We had been developing for a considerable period, and once the draw concluded, a strong resolve emerged. Our sentiment was, ‘if not at this moment, then when?'” Lopes remarked.
“The authorities granted all citizens a day of leave from work to observe the Eswatini match, and achieving qualification signifies paramount importance. We are an exceedingly proud footballing country, yet these ten minuscule islands, situated off Africa’s coastline, standing alongside the most prominent names, how could one not experience immense pride?”
Cape Verde finds itself allocated to Group H, slated to contend against Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia.
“My inner child desires to compete against Brazil,” Lopes said. “They embody the essence of the World Cup. However, considerable effort would be necessary to earn a match against them! We are content with our current group.”
Jordan, an Arab state, lies on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, sharing frontiers with five nations: Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the Palestinian West Bank. It has transformed into an immensely favored travel spot, with guests converging to explore its UNESCO World Heritage locations and to bathe in the Dead Sea, the planet’s lowest elevation.
“The paramount visitor attraction is the venerable metropolis and archaeological area of Petra,” Zaid Al Atiyat, a Jordan supporter, disclosed to ESPN. “It is recognized as the ‘Rose City’ because of its reddish sandstone and holds a place among the New 7 Wonders of the World [following a 2000 initiative to select global marvels from 200 extant structures].
“Alternatively, for those desiring a Martian experience without such extensive travel, Wadi Rum presents an excellent secondary option. Major Hollywood productions including Dune, Star Wars, The Martian, and Lawrence of Arabia utilized it as their backdrop.”
Mansaf, Jordan’s national delicacy, composed of lamb simmered in a sauce of fermented dried yogurt and presented with rice or bulgur, is a significant point of honor for the nation’s 11.5 million residents, yet it also became the focal point of an on-field dispute.
“During the 2023 AFC Asian Cup’s round-of-16 fixture pitting Jordan against Iraq, Jordanian forward, Yazan Al-Naimat, commemorated his goal by assembling his fellow players into a Bedouin-esque ring, with each person mimicking the act of consuming mansaf,” Al Atiyat recounted. “As soon as Iraq established a lead in the second half, Aymen Hussein, their goal-scorer, celebrated by adopting a cross-legged position, performing his own mansaf-related gesture, prior to contentiously receiving a second yellow card from [referee] Alireza Faghani.”
Aymen Hussein has been shown a second yellow for over celebrating! 🍛#AsianCup2023 #HayyaAsia pic.twitter.com/9i90ART2zh
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) January 29, 2024
Ultimately, Jordan prevailed over Iraq, securing a 3-2 triumph, advancing to the final match, where they were defeated by the host nation, Qatar.
The Chivalrous Ones secured their World Cup qualification in June 2025 through a 3-0 away success against Oman, a result that assured their second-place standing in Asia’s Group B, trailing only South Korea.
“During my formative years, I never envisioned witnessing Jordan compete on the international platform,” Al Atiyat stated. “However, the 2023 Asian Cup genuinely empowered us to harbor grand aspirations in unprecedented manners.”
Jordan was assigned to Group J for the World Cup, where they will contend with Austria, Algeria, and Argentina. Although this appears to be a formidable challenge for the newcomers, they possess skilled athletes prepared to rise to the occasion.
“Mousa Al-Tamari, with his exceptional speed and dribbling prowess, ought to be the individual who comes to mind when considering Jordan,” Al Atiyat affirmed. “He represents the inaugural Jordanian to participate and score in a premier league, and has solidified his position as a pivotal member of Stade Rennais.
“Yazan Al-Arab serves as our cornerstone in central defense; he is the initial Jordanian to compete in K League 1 [or FC
Seoul], and he was selected for the K League’s 2025 Team of the Year.”
Curaçao, an independent Caribbean island belonging to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, celebrated for its magnificent shores and underwater exploration, can now also assert its place in football history. Boasting a mere 156,000 residents, Curaçao emerged as the smallest country to ever secure a spot in the World Cup, capitalizing on the non-participation of three of CONCACAF’s customary powerhouses during the qualification rounds.
The primary athletic pursuits in Curaçao are baseball and football. Andrew Jones, a Major League Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, originates from Curaçao; however, achievements on the football pitch have historically been more elusive.
“The moment we learned the competition would take place in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, we felt confident we could succeed,” revealed Brenton Balentien, also recognized as Captain Blue Face, a past Curaçao youth international player and leader of the country’s fan club, to ESPN.
Nevertheless, the journey to qualify was not devoid of tension. On the decisive last day, Curaçao was required to journey to Jamaica, where they needed a tie to secure their position.
“After defeating Jamaica on our home ground, I was convinced it was our moment, but then I feared for my life during the away match,” Balentien recounted. “My heart paused momentarily when a penalty was given against us near the end, only for VAR to invalidate it. That sensation, however, lingers!”
Most of Curaçao’s team members originated in the Netherlands, and their qualification efforts were guided by the esteemed Dutch manager Dick Advocaat. At 78 years of age, Advocaat would have been the most senior coach to ever lead a team in a World Cup; however, he was compelled to resign from his position last month due to personal family matters. Yet, beyond their significant ties to the Netherlands, Curaçaoan culture is shaped by numerous other contributing factors.
“Curaçao is an exceptionally varied island where many distinct cultures have merged into a single entity,” Balentien stated. “Our populace converses in five or six tongues: Dutch, English, Spanish, Papiamento, Portuguese, French.
“Typically during the World Cup, numerous individuals back the Netherlands, but for those indigenous to the island, allegiance to Brazil is a must. They have consistently been the most favored squad since the era of Pelé.”
Curaçao faces a formidable challenge in Group E as they are set to confront Germany, Ecuador, and Ivory Coast; nevertheless, regardless of the outcome, it promises to be a memorable period for the island.
“There’s perpetual vibrancy, always a festivity; enthusiasm abounds, especially concerning athletics,” Balentien commented. “We are adept at enjoying fine food and beverages.
“Our culinary focus is Kuminda di Tera, or ‘earth food.’ We consume goat and iguana, along with okra soup, which are highly preferred. For libations, we offer blue Curaçao (a lively orange-flavored spirit)—the authentic and superior global version, distilled at the local Landhuis Chobolobo facility.
“It will be a celebration irrespective of whether we emerge victorious, are defeated, or achieve a stalemate. Our joy will simply stem from the opportunity to compete on such a grand platform.”
Uzbekistan, the inaugural Central Asian country to secure qualification for a World Cup, has at last dispelled the specters of previous close calls, thereby reaching football’s most significant tournament.
From a geographical standpoint, this former Soviet republic, home to approximately 38 million people, boasts a peculiar distinction shared with the diminutive European principality of Liechtenstein. “Uzbekistan stands as one of only two doubly landlocked nations globally [implying two other countries separate it from any coastline],” informed Jaloliddin Makhmudov, an Uzbekistan supporter, to ESPN.
“Our territory historically served as a central hub for the extensive Silk Road [a colossal system of maritime and terrestrial trade pathways connecting China with the Roman Empire, India, and Africa].”
Regarding its culinary offerings, Uzbekistan also possesses several remarkable achievements to highlight.
“Our customary meal is called plov [a substantial single-pot rice preparation], and it features at every gathering, be it a nuptial celebration or a memorial service,” Makhmudov remarked. “We even established a Guinness World Record when 7,360kg [16,226 lb] of Plov was cooked in Tashkent, our capital.”
Uzbekistan remained undefeated across the second qualifying stage and cemented their spot with a match still remaining, following a nil-nil draw against the UAE. Alongside intense elation, a feeling of alleviation pervaded after Uzbekistan’s pattern of valiant but unsuccessful attempts.
The White Wolves were defeated 9-8 in a penalty shootout by Jordan during a 2014 World Cup qualification playoff, and were controversially eliminated from the 2006 tournament on the away goals rule by Bahrain, when the initial leg had to be replayed because of a mistake by the official.
“The entirety of Uzbekistan has yearned for the World Cup for 34 years,” Makhmudov stated. “We consistently faltered in the final stage, which deeply pained the whole country.
“Football is unquestionably the most cherished sport in Uzbekistan, despite our prowess in boxing. Consequently, the World Cup represents a monumental event. We always believed we possessed the ability to reach this point, and our athletes have begun excelling in premier leagues, concurrently with significant advancements in our domestic league.”
Uzbekistan will be guided by Fabio Cannavaro, Italy’s World Cup-conquering captain and recipient of the 2006 Ballon d’Or. Abdukodir Khusanov from Manchester City will be their most recognizable figure on the field, though other promising talents are poised to make an impact.
“Oston Urunov has the potential to dominate news with his exceptional ball control and striking abilities,” Makhmudov observed. “Furthermore, Abbos Fayzullaev is another emerging talent who was honored as the 2023 AFC Youth Player of the Year at the AFC Annual Awards in 2024. Anticipate astonishment!”