Who's making World Cup debut? These countries are firsttime qualifiers Jesse Yomtov, USA TODAYNovember 25, 2025 at 4:08 AM 0 The World Cup's field has expanded to 48 for the 2026 tournament, offering the planet's biggest platform to teams that may not have been regular qualifiers under the previous 32country format. With the Dec. 5 draw in Washington D.C., 42 teams have qualified for next summer's World Cup in North America, with four countries set to make their debut on the big stage.
- - Who's making World Cup debut? These countries are first-time qualifiers
Jesse Yomtov, USA TODAYNovember 25, 2025 at 4:08 AM
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The World Cup's field has expanded to 48 for the 2026 tournament, offering the planet's biggest platform to teams that may not have been regular qualifiers under the previous 32-country format.
With the Dec. 5 draw in Washington D.C., 42 teams have qualified for next summer's World Cup in North America, with four countries set to make their debut on the big stage.
Cape Verde (Africa), Curaçao (Concacaf), Jordan (Asia) and Uzbekistan (Asia) have already booked their spots, with Curaçao becoming the smallest country to ever qualify.
There is room for more newcomers among the six remaining bids, with New Caledonia (Oceania) and Suriname (Concacaf) among the six teams vying for two spots in the Match intercontinental qualifying playoffs. In Europe, Kosovo and Albania advanced to the playoffs, each hoping to reach the World Cup for the first time.
Brazil – 23rd appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Brazil – 23rd appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/zxEfAOc class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Brazil – 23rd appearance
">Brazil – 23rd appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/zxEfAOc class=caas-img>United States of America – 12th appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>United States of America – 12th appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/2sfXNHQ class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
United States of America – 12th appearance
">United States of America – 12th appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/2sfXNHQ class=caas-img>Mexico – 18th appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Mexico – 18th appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/6LlHQ8a class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Mexico – 18th appearance
">Mexico – 18th appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/6LlHQ8a class=caas-img>England – 17th appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>England – 17th appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/gSw8vbR class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
England – 17th appearance
">England – 17th appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/gSw8vbR class=caas-img>Portugal – ninth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Portugal – ninth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/FL9Butw class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Portugal – ninth appearance
">Portugal – ninth appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/FL9Butw class=caas-img>France – 17th appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>France – 17th appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/GpV7kQi class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
France – 17th appearance
">France – 17th appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/GpV7kQi class=caas-img>Spain – 17th appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Spain – 17th appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/HYwZSh3 class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Spain – 17th appearance
">Spain – 17th appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/HYwZSh3 class=caas-img>Iran – seventh appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Iran – seventh appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/BIGJmCc class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Iran – seventh appearance
">Iran – seventh appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/BIGJmCc class=caas-img>Switzerland – 13th appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Switzerland – 13th appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/lCaAbKn class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Switzerland – 13th appearance
">Switzerland – 13th appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/lCaAbKn class=caas-img>Croatia – seventh appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Croatia – seventh appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/H0xZEVC class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Croatia – seventh appearance
">Croatia – seventh appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/H0xZEVC class=caas-img>Australia – seventh appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Australia – seventh appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/H1uLCIZ class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Australia – seventh appearance
">Australia – seventh appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/H1uLCIZ class=caas-img>Morocco – seventh appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Morocco – seventh appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/zqTySOC class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Morocco – seventh appearance
">Morocco – seventh appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/zqTySOC class=caas-img>Austria – eighth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Austria – eighth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/8FTeUM6 class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Austria – eighth appearance
">Austria – eighth appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/8FTeUM6 class=caas-img>Ecuador – fifth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Ecuador – fifth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/isLaZw4 class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Ecuador – fifth appearance
">Ecuador – fifth appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/isLaZw4 class=caas-img>Senegal – fourth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Senegal – fourth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/TLFKjBc class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Senegal – fourth appearance
">Senegal – fourth appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/TLFKjBc class=caas-img>South Korea – 12th appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>South Korea – 12th appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/E4F3sAC class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
South Korea – 12th appearance
">South Korea – 12th appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/E4F3sAC class=caas-img>Japan – eighth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Japan – eighth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/LMF6K4D class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Japan – eighth appearance
">Japan – eighth appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/LMF6K4D class=caas-img>Colombia – seventh appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Colombia – seventh appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/EzvR1bH class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Colombia – seventh appearance
">Colombia – seventh appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/EzvR1bH class=caas-img>Netherlands – 12th appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Netherlands – 12th appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Oo0w9KJ class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Netherlands – 12th appearance
">Netherlands – 12th appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/Oo0w9KJ class=caas-img>Germany – 21st appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Germany – 21st appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ITcPtl2 class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Germany – 21st appearance
">Germany – 21st appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/ITcPtl2 class=caas-img>Belgium – 15th appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Belgium – 15th appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/qW2sOBn class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Belgium – 15th appearance
">Belgium – 15th appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/qW2sOBn class=caas-img>Canada – third appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Canada – third appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/RSdqIBm class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Canada – third appearance
">Canada – third appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/RSdqIBm class=caas-img>Saudi Arabia – seventh appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Saudi Arabia – seventh appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/jMH0x1t class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Saudi Arabia – seventh appearance
">Saudi Arabia – seventh appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/jMH0x1t class=caas-img>Uzbekistan – first appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Uzbekistan – first appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/e7cUndo class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Uzbekistan – first appearance
">Uzbekistan – first appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/e7cUndo class=caas-img>Jordan – first appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Jordan – first appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/XKa1BhV class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Jordan – first appearance
">Jordan – first appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/XKa1BhV class=caas-img>Tunisia – seventh appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Tunisia – seventh appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ejSJhxp class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Tunisia – seventh appearance
">Tunisia – seventh appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/ejSJhxp class=caas-img>South Africa – fourth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>South Africa – fourth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/CbwqQK0 class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
South Africa – fourth appearance
">South Africa – fourth appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/CbwqQK0 class=caas-img>Ivory Coast – fourth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Ivory Coast – fourth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/zEqSn65 class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Ivory Coast – fourth appearance
">Ivory Coast – fourth appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/zEqSn65 class=caas-img>Scotland – ninth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Scotland – ninth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/xigwRGl class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Scotland – ninth appearance
">Scotland – ninth appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/xigwRGl class=caas-img>Algeria – fifth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Algeria – fifth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/S2LRjV0 class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Algeria – fifth appearance
">Algeria – fifth appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/S2LRjV0 class=caas-img>New Zealand – third appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>New Zealand – third appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/LxiWSE0 class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
New Zealand – third appearance
">New Zealand – third appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/LxiWSE0 class=caas-img>Paraguay – ninth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Paraguay – ninth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/m504e9a class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Paraguay – ninth appearance
">Paraguay – ninth appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/m504e9a class=caas-img>Egypt – fourth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Egypt – fourth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/FxnXfpN class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Egypt – fourth appearance
">Egypt – fourth appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/FxnXfpN class=caas-img>Cape Verde – first appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Cape Verde – first appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/reYlFx5 class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Cape Verde – first appearance
">Cape Verde – first appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/reYlFx5 class=caas-img>Qatar – second appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Qatar – second appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/sGBq0MJ class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Qatar – second appearance
">Qatar – second appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/sGBq0MJ class=caas-img>Norway – fourth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Norway – fourth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/xt0Yeg5 class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Norway – fourth appearance
">Norway – fourth appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/xt0Yeg5 class=caas-img>Panama – second appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Panama – second appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/nBtVkYQ class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Panama – second appearance
">Panama – second appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/nBtVkYQ class=caas-img>Curacao – first appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Curacao – first appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/fa9OyRr class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Curacao – first appearance
">Curacao – first appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/fa9OyRr class=caas-img>Ghana – fifth appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Ghana – fifth appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/RADs9Jx class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Ghana – fifth appearance
">Ghana – fifth appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/RADs9Jx class=caas-img>Haiti – second appearance
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Haiti – second appearance
" data-src=https://ift.tt/6BYELbT class=caas-img data-headline="Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far" data-caption="
Haiti – second appearance
">Haiti – second appearance
" src=https://ift.tt/6BYELbT class=caas-img>
1 / 40Who qualified for 2026 World Cup? See every country in the field so far
Brazil – 23rd appearance
World Cup first time qualifiers for 2026
Of the 42 teams officially qualified heading into the draw, three countries are playing in their first World Cup next summer:
Cape Verde
Curaçao
Jordan
Uzbekistan
Still in the running for an inaugural World Cup bid:
New Caledonia
Suriname
Kosovo
Albania
Most World Cup appearances
The 2026 World Cup is the 23rd edition of the tournament and Brazil is the only team that has played in every single one.
Here's a look at the most successful teams (including 2026 World Cup):
Brazil: 23
Germany: 21
Argentina: 19
Italy: 18 (can still qualify for 2026)
Mexico: 18
Spain: 17
England: 17
France: 17
Belgium: 15
Uruguay: 15
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World Cup 2026 teams qualified first time include Curacao
Source: "AOL Sports"
Source: Sports
Published: November 25, 2025 at 01:27PM on Source: A M A G
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