In this guide
Cape Verde: the Blue Sharks who saw off CameroonCuraçao: the smallest nation ever to make itJordan: borrowing Morocco's 2022 blueprintUzbekistan: Central Asia's first, with a World Cup winner in chargeWhere the demand will come fromFour nations will play at a World Cup for the first time in 2026: Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan. These World Cup 2026 debutants did not simply fall through the door of an expanded 48-team field. Cape Verde finished above Cameroon, Uzbekistan booked its place with games to spare, and Curaçao, with a population of around 156,000, is now the smallest country ever to reach the finals.
Every match runs between 11 June and 19 July across the United States, Canada and Mexico, so the noise around these sides will come from diaspora communities as much as travelling fans. Before you settle on a match to attend, here is who the four debut nations are and how they reached the finals.
Last updated: 1 June 2026.
- Cape Verde (CAF), Group H with Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. First match: Spain, 15 June.
- Curaçao (CONCACAF), Group E with Germany, Ecuador and Ivory Coast. First match: Germany, 14 June.
- Jordan (AFC), Group J with Argentina, Algeria and Austria. First match: Austria, 16 June.
- Uzbekistan (AFC), Group K with Portugal, Colombia and DR Congo. First match: Colombia, 17 June.
Cape Verde: the Blue Sharks who saw off Cameroon
A volcanic archipelago of 10 islands off West Africa, Cape Verde reached the finals by topping their African qualifying group and finishing four points clear of Cameroon. It was no fluke. They also topped their group at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, beating Ghana on the way to the quarter-finals. With a population of about 525,000, they are the third-smallest nation ever to play at a World Cup, behind only Curaçao and Iceland.
Pedro Leitão Brito, known as Bubista and named CAF Coach of the Year for 2025, leads a squad captained by Ryan Mendes, the country's record cap-holder and top scorer. It was Mendes who drove the 3-0 win over Eswatini last October that confirmed the historic place.
Curaçao: the smallest nation ever to make it
Curaçao, a Caribbean island of roughly 156,000 people, qualified with a goalless draw against Jamaica and became the smallest country by population ever to reach a men's World Cup. The squad leans heavily on Dutch-born players, with the former Premier League midfielders Leandro and Juninho Bacuna among the most familiar names. Islanders speak Dutch, Papiamento, Spanish and English. Many grew up supporting Brazil rather than a national side of their own.
Off the pitch, the build-up turned chaotic. Dick Advocaat oversaw qualification, resigned in February for family reasons, then returned in mid-May once his successor Fred Rutten stepped down. At 78, Advocaat is set to become the oldest manager in World Cup history.
Jordan: borrowing Morocco's 2022 blueprint
Jordan finished second in their Asian qualifying group to confirm a first World Cup, sealing it in June 2025 among the earliest nations through. Head coach Jamal Sellami, a Moroccan, has asked his players to draw on Morocco's run to the 2022 semi-finals, the high-water mark for Arab football. They are a disciplined, well-drilled side that will fancy springing at least one surprise, even if the draw was unforgiving.
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Uzbekistan: Central Asia's first, with a World Cup winner in charge
Uzbekistan became the first Central Asian nation to reach a World Cup, ending a run of near-misses with a draw against the United Arab Emirates in the third round of Asian qualifying. The breakthrough is built on youth: they won the 2025 Under-17 Asian Cup, took the 2023 Under-20 edition and reached their first Olympic football tournament. A nation of around 38 million, Uzbekistan is also one of only two doubly landlocked countries on earth.
The man in the dugout adds star power of his own. Fabio Cannavaro, captain of Italy's 2006 World Cup winners, has taken charge of a generation that has spent years learning how to win at the age-group level.
Where the demand will come from
Spread across 16 host cities in three countries, this tournament rewards sides with both travelling and resident support. All four newcomers have it. Sizeable Cape Verdean, Jordanian, Uzbek and Curaçaoan communities across North America will push interest in the group games well beyond neutral curiosity. Two fixtures stand above the rest for sheer pull. Lionel Messi faces a debutant when Jordan meets Argentina, possibly his last World Cup, while Portugal versus Uzbekistan brings Cristiano Ronaldo to the stage.
1. Has any team ever won the World Cup on its debut?
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Only Uruguay, which won the inaugural 1930 tournament as hosts, has managed it since.
2. Can a debut nation reach the knockout rounds in 2026?
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Yes, the expanded format sends the eight best third-placed teams through, so even one positive result can be enough.
3. Which debutant arrives with the strongest recent record?
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Jordan, who reached the 2023 Asian Cup final before losing to hosts Qatar.
4. Why do Curaçao and Cape Verde field so many overseas-born players?
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Both rely on diaspora pipelines, Curaçao through Dutch youth football and Cape Verde through the Portuguese leagues.
5. Which debut nation will play at Mexico City Stadium, the old Estadio Azteca?
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Uzbekistan, who face Colombia there on 17 June 2026.
Sources: FourFourTwo, CNN and Al Jazeera.
