Three nations making their debut at the 2026 World Cup

Cape Verde, Uzbekistan, and Jordan have officially qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026, representing the first occasion in history that these three modest-sized teams participate simultaneously at the planet’s grandest football event.

The 2026 tournament is the World Cup first to be expanded to 48 teams, providing developing football nations with a chance to rise. Among them, Cape Verde, Uzbekistan, and Jordan have spectacularly seized this opportunity to craft their own remarkable stories.

Cape Verde — a small country off the coast of West Africa with a population under 600,000 — has made history by qualifying for the World Cup for the first time. Their 3-0 victory over Eswatini propelled them to the top of Group D in the African zone, surpassing strong teams like Cameroon.

Under the guidance of coach Bubista, Cape Verde demonstrated disciplined play, relentless fighting spirit, and impressive form throughout the qualifiers. Their success vividly reflects the ambition of a small nation full of faith in football.

Uzbekistan’s story carries a different tone. After many years of near misses, the Central Asian team has finally realized their World Cup dream. Previously considered one of Asia’s strongest teams never to have reached the World Cup, Uzbekistan endured a challenging journey.

Under coach Fabio Cannavaro, they gradually stabilized their style, focusing on ball control and solid defensive organization. At the end of the qualifiers, Uzbekistan officially secured their World Cup spot as group runners-up, marking a historic milestone for their football development.

Jordan is the third newcomer on the list. The West Asian team, runners-up at the 2023 Asian Cup, maintained excellent form through World Cup qualifying. With a youthful squad, tactical discipline, and fierce determination, Jordan defeated Oman 3-0 to earn their precious ticket. This achievement rewards years of persistent effort, as Jordan had come close to World Cup qualification multiple times but fell short each time.

These three new entrants to the 2026 World Cup not only represent emerging football nations but also highlight the appeal of the world’s biggest tournament. From a small island in the Atlantic Ocean to the arid lands of Central Asia and the deserts of West Asia, they collectively prove that football remains a sport of hope and belief.

The presence of Cape Verde, Uzbekistan, and Jordan brings fresh colors to the 2026 World Cup. This is not just a sports story but a testament to the power of aspiration, showing that in football, every dream can come true when nurtured with faith and perseverance.