From Curaçao to Cape Verde: these are the countries debuting in the 2026 World Cup
Four nations will make their World Cup debut in North America, while several other hopefuls came agonizingly close.
With just days remaining until the opening game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, one of the tournament’s most intriguing storylines is not about the traditional heavyweights. It is about the newcomers.
These are the 4 countries making their World Cup debut in 2026
The expansion from 32 to 48 teams created more opportunities than ever before, and four countries have taken full advantage. When the tournament kicks off in North America, Curaçao, Cape Verde, Jordan, and Uzbekistan will all be appearing at a FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history.
Who is Uzbekistan?
For Uzbekistan, qualification ended decades of frustration and near-misses. The Central Asian nation finally broke through and became the first country from the region ever to reach a World Cup, powered by a generation led by Eldor Shomurodov and Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov.
Who and when does Uzbekistan play?
- Uzbekistan vs Colombia - June 17, 2026, 10 p.m. ET
- Portugal vs Uzbekistan - June 23, 2026, 1 p.m. ET
- Congo DR vs Uzbekistan - June 27, 2026, 7:30 p.m. ET
Who is Jordan?
Jordan’s achievement was equally remarkable. After finishing runners-up at the 2023 Asian Cup, Al-Nashama continued their rise and secured a historic place at the biggest tournament in world soccer, with captain Musa Al-Taamari becoming the face of the country’s golden generation.
Who and when does Jordan play?
- Austria vs Jordan - June 17, 2026, 12 a.m. ET
- Jordan vs Algeria - June 22, 2026, 11 p.m. ET
- Jordan vs Argentina - June 27, 2026, 10 p.m. ET
Who is Cape Verde?
In Africa, Cape Verde completed one of the continent’s great qualifying stories. The island nation of around half a million people topped a difficult qualifying group and will become one of the smallest countries ever to play at a World Cup.
Who and when does Cape Verde play?
- Spain vs Cape Verde - June 15, 2026, 12 p.m. ET
- Uruguay vs Cape Verde - June 21, 2026, 6 p.m. ET
- Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia - June 26, 2026, 8 p.m. ET
Who is Curaçao?
Then there is Curaçao, whose qualification may be the most surprising of all. Guided by veteran Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, the Caribbean nation became the smallest country by population ever to qualify for a men’s World Cup and arrives unbeaten through qualifying.
Who and when does Curaçao play?
- Germany vs Curaçao - June 14, 2026, 1 p.m. ET
- Ecuador vs Curaçao - June 20, 2026, 8 p.m. ET
- Curaçao vs Ivory Coast - June 25, 2026, 4 p.m. ET
The debutants who almost qualified for World Cup 2026
The final months of qualification also featured several nations dreaming of a first-ever World Cup appearance.
New Caledonia came within two games of qualification before falling short in the intercontinental playoffs. Suriname also reached the playoff stage but could not complete the job.
In Europe, Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia all had realistic hopes of becoming first-time qualifiers during the campaign, but none ultimately secured a place in the 48-team field. They’ll try again for 2030.
As a result, the final tally of debutants stands at four. That is fewer than some had predicted when qualification began, but it still represents one of the clearest signs of how the expanded World Cup has opened the door to new footballing nations.
When the tournament kicks off on June 11, Curaçao, Cape Verde, Jordan, and Uzbekistan will not just be participants. They will be writing entirely new chapters in World Cup history.
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