The FIFA World Cup is all set to be hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. A record 48 sides will take part in the prestigious tournament this time. Among them, four countries have qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history. The new four nations are Cape Verde, Jordan, Uzbekistan and Curaçao.
The most number of debutants in a single edition of FIFA World Cup remains six, a record made in 2006 when Angola, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, and Ukraine made their first appearance in the tournament.
Nations making their debut in FIFA World Cup
Discover the stories of Cape Verde, Jordan, Uzbekistan, and Curaçao, the four nations set to participate in the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 2026. Learn where these nations are located on the world map and what makes each of them unique.
Cape Verde
Cape Verde is an island nation located off the west coast of Africa. The country secured its berth at the FIFA World Cup 2026 by finishing ahead of Cameroon in the African qualifiers. With a population of around 5,25,00, Cape Verde is the third-smallest nation ever to qualify for a FIFA World Cup, behind Iceland (2018) and Curaçao (2026).
The national football team is also famously known as the Blue Sharks. At the FIFA World Cup 2026, Cape Verde has been drawn in Group H alongside Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia.
Jordan
Jordan is a country in West Asia, surrounded by Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. It is a popular destination for tourists, home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and shares the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth, with its neighbouring countries.
Having a population of approximately 11.5 million, Jordan claimed its maiden FIFA World Cup qualification by defeating Oman 3-0 in June 2025 during the Asian qualifiers. At the FIFA World Cup 2026, Jordan has been placed in Group J along with Argentina, Austria, and Algeria.
Curaçao
Curaçao is a Caribbean island nation located in the southern Caribbean Sea, just off the coast of Venezuela. It is a self-governing country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and lies between North and South America.
Having a population of around 156,000, Curaçao is the smallest nation by population ever to secure a qualification for a FIFA World Cup.
In this year's edition, Curaçao has been placed in Group E, where it will lock horns against Germany, Ecuador, and Ivory Coast in its historic first appearance on football's biggest stage.
Uzbekistan
Located in the heart of Central Asia, Uzbekistan has created history by becoming the first central Asian country to secure qualification for the FIFA World Cup. The country has a population of around 38 million.
At the FIFA World Cup 2026, Uzbekistan has been placed in Group K, along with Portugal, Congo, and Colombia, as it gears up for its maiden appearance on football's biggest stage.