Countries making World Cup debuts: Updated list of nations making first FIFA tournament appearance in 2026

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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.

The Sporting News 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.

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.

Potential World Cup debutants with realistic path to 2026 qualification

The following nations who have never previously appeared at a FIFA World Cup tournament have a realistic or even strong chance of qualifying for the 2026 edition.

Strong qualifying position

The below teams are in a commanding position within their current stage of their World Cup qualifying and could clinch a spot soon if they hold firm and results go their way.

North Macedonia

Because there are three teams in contention for Group J, North Macedonia cannot directly qualify in the October window.

A win over Kazakhstan on October 13 would go a long way towards securing a spot. North Macedonia are in a weakened position because they have played one more game than the two sides (Belgium and Wales) below them, and thus have only one competitive match for the November international break.

Curacao

A win over Trinidad & Tobago on October 14 would leave them leading their group with two more qualifying matches remaining.

Due to their ranking, a second-place finish in the group will leave them at risk of being eliminated (only the top two highest-ranked second-place finishers in CONCACAF qualification groups earn a spot in the Intercontinental Playoff).

Benin

Will qualify directly with a win over Nigeria on October 14.

Suriname

A win over Panama on October 13 would leave them leading their group with two more qualifying matches remaining.

Due to their ranking, a second-place finish in the group would almost certainly see Suriname eliminated.

Realistic qualifying chance

The following nations are not in control of their current stage of World Cup qualifying, but have put themselves in a position to progress and could potentially find themselves in the field of 48 teams if they can make a late push through the final rounds.

CAF teams

While group winners qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup, those who finish second still have a chance of reaching the tournament.

The top four second-place finishers will contest a mini four-team knockout bracket for Africa’s one place at the intercontinental playoff.

Of this list, Gabon have the best chance to find their way through, as they sit just one point behind Ivory Coast ahead of their final group matches on October 14. If they can best Ivory Coast’s result on the final matchday, they will reach the World Cup; otherwise, they are in a great spot to reach the playoff.

Meanwhile, Burkina Faso and Niger are also in position to reach the CAF playoff if they do not finish first in their group, while Uganda are in a more perilous situation.

UEFA teams

First-place group finishers qualify directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while second-place finishers qualify for the European playoff bracket to earn one of four more qualification positions. UEFA do not have any places in the intercontinental playoff.

Albania are well behind England in their standings, but they are in a strong position to make a playoff spot. Kosovo are in a similar position, but must hold off Slovenia and Sweden below them in the standings to reach the playoffs. Georgia and Faroe Islands are both sitting third at the moment, which leaves them out, but are well within striking distance of those above them if they can pick up results in the near future.