Can Curacao, Cape Verde or any debutants cause a shock in 2026?

Four nations will make their World Cup debuts this summer: Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan. The expanded 48-team format means 32 nations will reach the knockout stages, with four points from three games almost certain to be enough and three points potentially sufficient.

It has been 16 years since a newcomer reached the knockouts, when Slovakia stunned holders Italy in South Africa. Curacao arguably have the toughest draw, paired with Germany, Ecuador and Ivory Coast, and will arrive as the smallest nation in World Cup history.

The squad has benefited from Dutch-raised talent — Tahith Chong is the only player in the squad born on the island — and the return of Dick Advocaat after a brief absence could prove decisive following disappointing results under his successor. Jordan, in a group with holders Argentina, Algeria and Austria, earned qualification by being hard to beat and are built on a compact, organised defence that favours counter-attacks.

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