Which teams will make their debut at World Cup 2026?

Key points

• Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan will take part in football’s premier showpiece for the first time.
• Football’s world governing body, FIFA, has framed the 2026 World Cup’s expansion from 32 to 48 teams as a watershed moment for inclusivity, opening the door for nations that have never qualified before.
• Indeed, four teams will be playing at their first World Cup in North America this summer: Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan.
• Here is Al Jazeera’s short guide to the debutants at this year’s competition.
• Cape Verde FIFA world ranking: 69 69 World Cup fixtures (Group H): Spain (June 15, Atlanta), Uruguay (June 21, Miami, US), Saudi Arabia (June 26, Houston, US) Spain (June 15, Atlanta), Uruguay (June 21, Miami, US), Saudi Arabia (June 26, Houston, US) Player to watch: Garry Rodrigues With a population of about 525,000, the small archipelago off the coast of Senegal will become the third-least...