With just four days to the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, excitement is everywhere. The world is gearing up for football's biggest event in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
This year's tournament is special for many reasons. For the first time, the FIFA World Cup will have 48 teams instead of 32. This change gives more chances to countries that have only watched the competition from the sidelines.
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, only the host nation made its debut. Now, with the new format, four countries will take to the field for the first time in World Cup history.
Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan have already achieved a great feat by qualifying. Each nation hopes to show they belong among the best in the world.
Cape Verde: Small Nation, Big Dreams
Cape Verde has a remarkable story. This island nation off the coast of West Africa is the smallest country by land area to play in a World Cup. It is also one of the least populated nations to reach the tournament.
Cape Verde had a tough start to qualification but managed to pull off impressive wins against Angola and Cameroon. Though they are new to the World Cup, the “Blue Sharks” have played in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) four times. Their best run was in 2023 when they reached the quarter-finals but lost to South Africa on penalties.
Much of their success comes from finding and recruiting talented players from the Cape Verdean community in Europe. Veteran striker Ryan Mendes is a key player, while captain and goalkeeper Vozinha brings valuable experience. Young forward Dailon Livramento is expected to shine.
Their World Cup journey starts against Spain, followed by matches against Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in Group H.
Curaçao: Caribbean History Makers
For Curaçao, qualifying is one of the biggest moments in Caribbean football history. With just over 150,000 people, this Dutch Caribbean island is the least populated nation ever to qualify for a FIFA World Cup.
They went unbeaten during their qualification campaign, achieving seven wins and three draws. A big part of their success is the leadership of veteran Dutch coach Dick Advocaat. At 78, he will be the oldest coach in World Cup history.
The squad includes players with experience in European football, such as Tahith Chong, brothers Leandro and Juninho Bacuna, goalkeeper Eloy Room, and striker Rangelo Janga. Curaçao faces a tough challenge in Group E with Germany, Ecuador, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Jordan: Finally on the World Stage
Jordan has spent years trying to qualify for the World Cup. They came very close in 2014 but missed out after losing to Uruguay in a playoff. Now, after more than a decade, their dream is finally a reality.
The qualification campaign marked a significant step for Jordanian football, which reached new heights by finishing as runners-up in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. Under coach Jamal Sellami, they won eight matches and lost only three.
Stars like Mousa Al Tamari, Yazan Al Naimat, and Ali Al Olwan will be crucial as they aim to make their mark. They will face a tough group with Austria, Algeria, and defending champions Argentina in Group J.
Uzbekistan: Central Asia's Trailblazers
Uzbekistan's qualification is another major milestone. They are the first Central Asian country to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, ending years of disappointments.
During qualifying, Uzbekistan was one of the best teams in Asia, losing only one match. Adding to their excitement, former World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro is their head coach. He brings experience to a talented squad.
Captain Eldor Shomurodov leads the team, while Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov has become a standout player. Midfielder Abbosbek Fayzullaev is also gaining attention ahead of the tournament.
Uzbekistan will kick off their campaign against Colombia and later face Portugal and DR Congo in Group K.
New Faces, New Stories
The World Cup is about more than just trophies and stars. It’s about dreams, national pride, and inspiring stories for future generations.
The expansion to 48 teams has brought new faces to the biggest football stage, giving millions of fans new reasons to cheer. Whether Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, or Uzbekistan move beyond the group stage is yet to be seen. But by qualifying, all four nations have made their mark in football history.
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