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In most four-year World Cup cycles, a few countries manage to reach the big FIFA tournament that have never been at the hallowed competition before.
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon and qualifying wrapping up, there are a number of potential debutants on the verge of clinching a place at the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
This time around is special, as the expansion to 48 teams provides the best chance yet for smaller nations to reach the field, knowing that more available places means a more realistic pathway to a coveted place at the finals.
AllSportsPeople provides a breakdown of the World Cup debutants who have already confirmed a place at the 2026 competition, plus others eyeing a potential spot if they maintain their current level.
MORE: How the 2026 World Cup draw will work and who is sorted into which pot
Countries to debut at FIFA World Cup in 2026
The following nations have clinched a spot in the 2026 World Cup field who have never previously appeared at the tournament.
| Nation | FIFA Rank | Confederation | Qualified Via |
| Uzbekistan | 54 | AFC | 2nd place — Group A |
| Jordan | 62 | AFC | 2nd place — Group B |
| Cape Verde | 70 | CAF | 1st place — Group D |
MORE: Host countries, cities for FIFA 2026 World Cup | Teams qualified for 2026 World Cup
Uzbekistan
Established in 1994 as an independent nation after the fall of the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan has been slowly rising in international pedigree. They have been competitive at youth level for a few years, reaching the knockout stage of the U-20 World Cup in 2013, 2015, and 2023 and winning Asian Cup titles in various age groups.
They came ever so close in 2014, falling to Jordan on penalties in the AFC eliminator for the intercontinental playoff spot after a 2-2 draw.
Jordan
First joining FIFA in 1958, Jordan did not join World Cup qualifying until the 1986 cycle. They previously came closest in 2014, when they reached the intercontinental playoff but cruelly drew Uruguay who pummeled them 5-0 in the all-important match.
Finally, in 2026, they were handed a kind qualifying draw in the AFC third round, finishing second behind South Korea in their group to secure an automatic spot while leaving Iraq and Oman to contest further rounds.
Cape Verde
This tiny island nation off the west coast of Africa, with a population of around 600,000 people, has qualified for its first-ever World Cup in 2026. In doing so, they beat CAF giants Cameroon to the top spot in their group, eclipsing the five-time AFCON winners by a full four points.
The Blue Sharks, who became independent from Portugal in 1975 and began national team football three years later, have only been contesting World Cup qualifying since the 2002 cycle. Prior to the 2026 cycle, in which they won eight of their 10 qualifying matches, they had never won more than four matches in any edition of World Cup qualifying.
Curacao
Curacao sealed their place at the World Cup win a 0-0 draw against Jamaica in their final CONCACAF qualifier, become the smallest nation ever to qualify for the tournament.
Potential World Cup debutants on the playoff path to 2026 qualification
The following nations, who have never previously appeared at a FIFA World Cup, reached either the UEFA of inter-confederation playoff rounds.
North Macedonia
North Macedonia headed into a winner-takes-all clash with Wales in Cardiff on the final matchday in UEFA Group J, with a playoff place behind group winners Belgium up for grabs.
It ended up being a chastening night for Blagoja Milevski's side as Wales ran out 7-1 winners. However, North Macedonia had the consolation of still earning a spot as one of the four highest-ranked 2024/25 Nations League group winners to have finished outside the playoff places.
Suriname
Suriname were top of Group A heading into the final round of CONCACAF matches, level on points with Panama. However, a 3-1 defeat away to already eliminated Guatamala condemned them to a spot in the inter-confederation playoff.
Albania
Albania's crucial 1-0 victory away to Serbia in October allowed them to edge out their near neighbours and claim second place in UEFA Group K behind runaway winners England.
This earned a place in March's UEFA playoff round.
Kosovo
Kosovo cruised to second place in Group B behind Switzerland, losing only one match as both Slovenia and Sweden endured dismal campaigns.
They could meet Sweden again, however, as the Scandinavian nation earned one of the four playoff spots allocated on the basis of performance in the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League.
New Caledonia
New Caledonia did not join FIFA until 2004, becoming the governing body's 205th member. Victory over Tahiti in the OFC third-round semifinal ensured at least a playoff spot.
New Zealand beat New Caledonia in the final to take Oceania's automatic qualification spot - the first time the region has enjoyed one, due to the expanded format.