Curaçao, Cape Verde, Jordan, Uzbekistan. Four nations that have never played a match at a World Cup finals will do exactly that in the summer of 2026. The 48-team format expansion is the reason any of them are here, but their qualification still had to be earned. This is who they are, who they face, and what the draw has handed them.

Curaçao draw Germany in Group E

Curaçao are in Group E alongside Ecuador, Germany, and Ivory Coast. There is no soft landing there. Germany are back among Europe’s contenders, Ecuador qualified comfortably from CONMEBOL, and Ivory Coast are recent AFCON champions. For a small Caribbean island making its first appearance, the group is about as steep as it gets. Three matches against opponents of that calibre is a brutal introduction, but the kind of test they’ve been building toward. Getting a point from any of those games would be a result.

Cape Verde face Spain and Uruguay in Group H

Cape Verde land in Group H with Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Uruguay. Spain arrive as reigning European champions; Uruguay bring a World Cup history few nations can match. Cape Verde have been one of the most consistent sides in African football across the last decade, and their qualification for 2026 is the payoff. Saudi Arabia, who caused the most memorable upset of 2022, are the team Cape Verde will be looking at most closely when the group draws to a close.

Jordan enter with Argentina waiting in Group J

Jordan are drawn with Algeria, Argentina, and Austria in Group J. Argentina are the reigning world champions, which makes Jordan’s debut fixture list about as tough as it gets. Algeria are in strong form as one of Africa’s established forces, and Austria represent a European side that qualified with purpose. For Jordan, whose football has been growing steadily in recent years, this is a first chance to measure themselves against that level. Three group matches against opponents of that quality will be a steep test, but Jordan’s arrival at a World Cup is the point.

Uzbekistan meet Portugal and Colombia in Group K

Uzbekistan are in Group K alongside Colombia, DR Congo, and Portugal. Portugal, with Cristiano Ronaldo still in the picture if he features, are the name that defines this group’s ceiling. Colombia have been building toward another serious tournament run, and DR Congo are a live threat in attack. Uzbekistan’s football has developed rapidly under the AFC umbrella, and their place at the finals marks that progress. Group K offers them three matches against teams who will each expect to win, exactly the kind of pressure that tests a side. The format at least gives them a realistic route: even a single win could be enough to advance as one of the best third placed teams.

Why this cohort is the largest in the last 20 years

The 2026 tournament fields 48 teams across 12 groups of 4, with the top two from each group advancing alongside the eight best third placed sides into a round of 32. In 2022, only 32 teams qualified. That expansion of 16 spots is the structural reason this debutant class exists at all. More places for more confederations means more room for nations whose programmes have matured but who would previously have been squeezed out. Four debutants in a single edition is the direct result.

This is the largest first time cohort the World Cup has seen in two decades, marking the biggest influx of new nations since the 2006 tournament.