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The expanded 48-team World Cup for 2026 will be the biggest yet and include several newcomers on the world’s premier soccer stage. Here are the countries playing in their first World Cup at the 2026 edition.
For this list we’ll split countries into three different categories.
- True newcomers (first-ever World Cup)
- Welcome back (second-ever World Cup)
- It’s been awhile (10+ years since their last World Cup)
Let’s meet the new faces.
True newcomers
- Uzbekistan (Asia)
- Jordan (Asia)
- Cabo Verde (Africa)
- Curacao (Concacaf)
With a population of around 155,000, Curacao are the biggest shock entry for next summer’s World Cup. The tiny Caribbean nation breaks Iceland’s record as the smallest country, based on population, to qualify for a World Cup.
CURAÇAO HAVE QUALIFIED FOR THEIR FIRST-EVER WORLD CUP ❤️
WHAT A MOMENT FOR THE BLUE WAVE pic.twitter.com/Xn4Tm29MAv— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 19, 2025
Welcome back (second-ever World Cup)
- Qatar
- Panama
- Haiti
After an incredibly disappointing performance as hosts in 2022, the small nation of Qatar will look for redemption in 2026. Meanwhile, Panama and Haiti secured their World Cup spots on the final day of qualification in Concacaf. Just look at what it meant for the fans and players.
HAITI ARE INTO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP IN HALF A CENTURY ❤️ pic.twitter.com/GozOLqXUBb
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 19, 2025
Scenes right now in the south side of Haiti… this means a lot to us Haitians..WorldCup, here we come❤️ pic.twitter.com/Yg6fYMFgAG
— Wes (@designzbywes) November 19, 2025
It’s been awhile
- Haiti (First World Cup since 1974)
- Norway (First World Cup since 1998)
- Scotland (First World Cup since 1998)
- Austria (First World Cup since 1998)
- South Africa (First World Cup since 2010)
- Paraguay (First World Cup since 2010)
- New Zealand (First World Cup since 2010)
- Ivory Coast (First World Cup since 2014)
- Algeria (First World Cup since 2014)
Plenty of eyes will be fixated on Norway who return to the grand stage after a 28-year hiatus. Led by Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland, Norway had one of the most impressive performances in qualifying of any European side. Norway won all eight qualifiers (including twice against Italy) and finished with a +32 GOAL DIFFERENCE.
▫️Perfect record in 8 WCQ games
▫️37 goals scored (14 more than second-best)
▫️Just 5 goals concededNorway's World Cup qualifying campaign though pic.twitter.com/O11erZldOF— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 16, 2025
