The 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be one of the most open and refreshing tournaments in the competition’s history. With the expansion to 48 teams, more nations than ever before will step onto football’s biggest stage, bringing with them new stories, new ambitions and in some cases, no previous experience at all. For some countries, it will be a long-awaited debut, while others are returning after decades away from the spotlight.
With so many unknowns entering the tournament, those exploring FIFA World Cup odds may find this one of the most unpredictable editions in recent memory. What makes this group particularly interesting is how little World Cup history they share, yet how much expectation they carry as they prepare to represent their nations on the global stage across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan will head into their first-ever World Cup after finally securing a place on the world’s biggest stage. Their qualification was a huge milestone for Asian football, with multiple nations from the continent now competing at the World Cup. While the squad may not be filled with stars, it is still a great experience for the players, despite being expected to make it no further than the group stages.
Jordan
Jordan also arrived for the first time at a World Cup, which has been celebrated across the Middle Eastern country. They have never appeared in a major tournament before, but their recent performances and attacking play have shaped their fortunes. A number of key players now feature abroad, which brings experience and progress that has already helped them to qualify. While they are not expected to move beyond the group stages, the qualification in itself is already groundbreaking for the nation.
Cape Verde
Cape Verde’s qualification is another example of growth in a continent, with more African teams than ever competing at the World Cup. They have no precious appearances, but have looked much stronger in recent years than ever before, with a close squad full of talent. These gradual improvements have led to this moment of history-making, bringing the country to the world stage. Although they’re also unlikely to progress far, it is still an incredible achievement to qualify.
Curaçao
Curaçao are set to make their World Cup debut after a dramatic qualification push, led by respected manager Dick Advocaat, who is unfortunately unable to take the squad to the States. The Caribbean nation has never reached this level before, but its squad is full of talent that has developed in Europe. Their style of play tends to focus on quick transitions and pacy attacking attributes that could make them very difficult to play against. Despite this, they are still very unlikely to progress any further than the group stage, but they will not go down easily, and can be a dark horse in group E.
Iraq
Iraq are to make their long-awaited return to the World Cup after only a single appearance at the competition in 1986. Their footballing identity has always been built around being the underdog and having resilience, which is the same as how they will be heading into the 2026 campaign. They do have several established internationals that are a huge part of the team, as well as a younger generation who want to make a name for themselves, creating a strong blend in their squad. Consistency has often been difficult for Iraq, after failing to qualify on numerous occasions, but this year could be the year they shock the world.
Haiti
Haiti’s return to the tournament has been long-awaited, with their last appearance being in 1974, which adds additional pressure to their campaign this summer. The squad has looked stronger than ever, celebrated by huge support from fans who aim to push them even further. They’ve got a team filled with quality, recently acquiring Premier League side Sunderland’s striker, Wilson Isidor, formerly of France U20S. They aren’t expected to dominate, but they could be considered an underdog as a result of their team bond and talent available.
DR Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo arrived with just a single previous appearance, back in 1974 when the nation competed as Zaire. Their qualification has been one of the more dramatic stories in the build-up to the tournament. Physically strong and tactically improving, they have developed a side capable of competing with higher-ranked teams. Their challenge will be maintaining consistency across multiple games, but they believe that their athletic style can trouble more established nations.
Canada
One of the 3 hosts this year, Canada, is looking to take part in their second-ever World Cup after their appearance in Qatar in 2022. The nation has built a squad that is stronger than ever, with names like Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David, led by a former Premier League manager, Jesse Marsch. While it is unlikely that they will win the competition, there is every chance that they could make it past the group stage thanks to a strong manager and a talented list of players available.
Article written by Igaming agency
