WC Countdown: Can you find them on a map? Debutants ready to stun the world
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Reading Time: 4min | Tue. 02.06.26. | 23:02
From a Caribbean island of 150,000 people to the heart of Central Asia, meet the nations writing football's newest fairy tales
The World Cup has always been about football's superpowers, such as Argentina, Brazil, France, and England. However, it is also about underdogs, minnows, dreamers...
This year, a Central Asian pioneer, a Middle Eastern dreamer, an Atlantic island nation and a tiny Caribbean underdog will walk onto the same stage as those giants. Their chances of lifting the trophy may be slim, but that isn't really the point here.
Some of them have suffered heartbreaking near-misses, others come from tiny islands that many fans would struggle to locate on a map, and a few represent entire regions that have never before had a representative on football's biggest stage. For them, simply hearing the national anthem before kick-off will already be history.
For Cape Verde, Uzbekistan, Jordan, and Curacao, history has already been made as they will make their World Cup debuts. The next chapter is simply waiting to be written...
CAPE VERDE (Group H)
If you look west from the coast of Senegal into the Atlantic Ocean, you'll find Cape Verde - an archipelago of volcanic islands with a population of roughly half a million people. It is one of the smallest countries ever to reach a World Cup.
Known as the Blue Sharks, Cape Verde produced one of Africa's most impressive qualification campaigns, overcoming continental heavyweights like Cameroon and turning their home stadium into a fortress. Their qualification was built on defensive solidity and a remarkable team spirit.
Many of their players were born or raised in Portugal and other European countries, creating a squad with significant experience abroad. Led by coach Bubista and key figures such as Dailon Livramento and Roberto Lopes, they arrive as one of Africa's most intriguing newcomers, especially after dismantling Serbia 3-0 in the latest pre-WC test.
UZBEKISTAN (Group K)
Abdukodir Khusanov, right? Yes, right, but they're much more than just the Manchester City defender. Located in the heart of Central Asia, between Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan, Uzbekistan became the first Central Asian nation ever to qualify for a FIFA World Cup. For years, they were regarded as Asia's greatest nearly-men, repeatedly falling just short of qualification before finally breaking through in 2025.
Led by Roma striker Eldor Shomurodov and Khusanov, the White Wolves possess far more quality than casual fans might expect. They conceded very few goals during qualifying and finished ahead of experienced sides such as the UAE and Qatar.
Do not be surprised if Uzbekistan become one of the tournament's dark horses. They have waited too long for this moment to settle for merely participating.
JORDAN (Group J)
Well, they've got Messi. OK, "Jordanian Messi", not the actual one, but still... Musa Al-Taamari is their star and will lead the still which arrives to the World Cup for the first time with belief, organisation and the passion of an entire nation behind them.
The Jordanians captured the imagination of Asian football by reaching the Asian Cup final and then building on that momentum to secure a historic World Cup berth. Their qualification sparked celebrations across the country, with the government even adjusting work schedules so supporters could follow the team during the tournament.
Jordan sits in the Middle East, bordering Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Israel and the Palestinian territories. A nation better known internationally for Petra and the Dead Sea will now experience its first-ever World Cup adventure.
CURACAO (Group E)
We saved the best for last. Curacao are perhaps the most fascinating debutant of them all. Many would struggle to find on the map this tiny Caribbean island located just north of Venezuela. With a population of around 150,000 people, it is among the smallest countries ever to qualify for the World Cup.
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Their boss, Dick Advocaat, will become the oldest-ever WC manager (read more about it in our separate article on June 6) when they face Spain in their opening match. The squad consists largely of players with Dutch-Caribbean roots who developed in the Netherlands. They navigated a difficult CONCACAF qualifying campaign and secured a historic ticket to North America.
Experienced internationals such as Leandro Bacuna provide leadership, while the squad carries the underdog spirit that neutrals usually fall in love with at major tournaments.
If there is one debutant likely to become everyone's second-favourite team, Curacao might be it.
WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE
First round
Thursday, 11.06.
22.00: (1.50) Mexico (4.00) S.Africa (7.25)
Friday, 12. 06.
05.00: (2.70) S.Korea (3.10) Czech R. (2.75)
22.00: (1.85) Canada (3.70) B&H (4.25)
Saturday, 13.06.
04.00: (2.05) USA (3.35) Paraguay (3.80)
22.00: (12.0) Qatar (5.40) Switzerland (1.28)
Sunday, 14.06.
01.00: (1.62) Brazil (3.80) Morocco (5.80)
04.00: (6.80) Haiti (4.45) Scotland (1.47)
07.00: (4.50) Australia (3.50) Turkey (1.83)
20.00: (1.03) Germany (15.0) Curacao (50.0)
02.00: (2.10) Netherlands (3.45) Japan (3.50)
***odds are subject to change***