Two countries will make their debuts on the grandest stage in football in the 2026 World Cup. The event, which will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, has little over a year left, and excitement is already mounting. With 48 teams instead of the customary 32, it will be the first World Cup to do so.
European champions Spain and an England team headed by Thomas Tuchel will be among those vying for the title when the action moves across the Atlantic, each hoping to add a star to their crests. Powerhouses Argentina and Brazil will also be serious candidates. Argentina wants to capitalize on what might be Lionel Messi’s final World Cup performance, while Brazil has attacking firepower in Raphinha, Vinícius Junior, and Rodrygo.
However, the underdogs and newbies are just as important to the World Cup’s enchantment as the favorites. Two countries will be making their first-ever appearances because to the expanded format, and when the tournament begins in a year, Jordan and Uzbekistan will undoubtedly be entertaining to watch.
Uzbekistan & Jordan Set For World Cup Debuts Next Summer
They both made history during the qualification stages
After a goalless draw with the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi, Uzbekistan has earned its first-ever World Cup qualification. After missing the cut in previous campaigns, most notably in 2014, the team finally reached the finish line, and celebrations broke out.
In order to decide Asia’s representative in an intercontinental match against Trinidad and Tobago, they had to play a contentious playoff match against Bahrain in 2006. FIFA ordered a replay after Uzbekistan won the first match 1-0 due to a refereeing error. In the end, they missed out on away goals.
After the Soviet Union broke up, Uzbekistan, which has 36 million people and is presently ranked 57th in the world, played its first official match as an independent nation in June 1992. The White Wolves, who have won five of nine games and only lost once, are now ranked second in their qualifying group, behind Iran. Some might be familiar with defender Abdoukodir Khusanov, who made headlines in January when he joined Manchester City as the first Uzbek player to sign with a Premier League team.
Jordan, who qualified with a 3-0 victory over Oman precisely 40 years after their first qualifying campaign, will accompany them on their World Cup debut. This is the seventh time the Asian Cup runners-up, who are now rated 62nd in the world, have advanced to the World Cup. Jordan is ranked second in their group, after South Korea, just like Uzbekistan.
In 2014, they lost to Uruguay in an intercontinental play-off, which was their closest previous approach to qualifying. Jordan and Uzbekistan were the ninth and tenth teams to formally reserve spots at the 2026 World Cup, respectively. Below is a complete list of teams who have qualified thus far:
Teams who have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup
The country
The Continent
USA
North America
Canada
North America
Mexico
North America
Japan
Asia
The New Zealand
The Ocean Islands
Iran
Asia
Argentina
South America
Korea
Asia
The Uzbek Republic
Asia
Jordan
Asia
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