<p>The expanded 48-team World Cup format has opened doors for four nations to make their tournament debuts in 2026.</p> <p>From a Caribbean island with a population smaller than most Australian suburbs to Central Asia's first-ever qualifier, these newcomers bring compelling narratives that punters should have on their radar when markets open.</p> <h2>Curaçao: The Smallest Nation in World Cup History</h2> <p>With a population of just 156,115, Curaçao has shattered Iceland's 2018 record to become <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/soccer/soccer-news/curacao-qualifies-fifa-world-cup">the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup.</a></p> <p>The Caribbean island, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, sealed their historic spot with a 0-0 draw against Jamaica on 18 November 2025.</p> <p>What makes Curaçao's qualification particularly fascinating is their reliance on the Dutch diaspora.</p> <p>Most squad members were born and raised in the Netherlands, with several switching allegiance from Dutch youth teams via FIFA eligibility rules. Former Manchester United talent Tahith Chong is one of the few players actually born on the island.</p> <p>At the helm is Dirk Nicolaas "Big Dick” Advocaat, who at 78 will become the oldest manager in World Cup history.</p> <p>The veteran Dutch coach has previous World Cup experience with the Netherlands (1994 quarter-finals) and South Korea (2006), bringing invaluable tournament nous to an inexperienced squad.</p> <p><strong>Group E Draw</strong>: Germany, Curaçao, Côte d'Ivoire, Ecuador</p> <p>The draw has handed Curaçao a brutal opener against Germany, but with the top two plus best third-placed teams advancing, their matches against Côte d'Ivoire and Ecuador will define their campaign.</p> <p>The squad features players from England's third tier, Turkish second division, and Saudi Arabian leagues. If things will work out for them, this will become a true underdog story.</p> <h2>Cape Verde: The Blue Sharks Swim to the Big Stage</h2> <p>Cape Verde's 3-0 victory over Eswatini on 13 October 2025 completed one of African football's most remarkable qualification campaigns.</p> <p>The Atlantic archipelago of roughly 525,000 people topped their CAF group ahead of Cameroon, a five-time World Cup participant.</p> <p>Nicknamed the "Blue Sharks" (Tubarões Azuis), Cape Verde's rise has been steady rather than sudden.</p> <p>They reached the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals in 2013 and 2023, building tournament experience that should serve them well. Coach Pedro "Bubista" Brito, who played for the national team in the early 2000s when they "didn't even have proper kit to wear", has overseen the transformation.</p> <p>Their squad includes Shamrock Rovers captain Pico Lopes, whose journey from part-time footballer to World Cup participant epitomises the Cape Verdean spirit. Lopes was working in a bank in 2019 and received his first national team call-up via LinkedIn.</p> <p><strong>Group H Draw</strong>: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay</p> <p>This is undeniably one of the tournament's toughest groups for a debutant. Opening against reigning European champions Spain in Atlanta will test their defensive resolve, but Saudi Arabia's shock 2022 win over Argentina proves upsets happen.</p> <p>The clash against Uruguay will likely determine their knockout stage hopes.</p> <h2>Jordan: Al Nashama's Historic Breakthrough</h2> <p>Jordan qualified as the first Arab nation to book their 2026 spot, sealing passage on 5 June 2025 with a 3-0 victory over Oman.</p> <p>Ali Olwin's hat-trick sparked celebrations across Amman, with King Abdullah II watching from the Jordanian embassy in London during a state visit.</p> <p>"Al Nashama" (The Chivalrous Ones) arrived at this moment on the back of their best-ever tournament run, finishing as 2024 Asian Cup runners-up after losing to hosts Qatar.</p> <p>That campaign included stunning knockout victories over Iraq, Tajikistan, and South Korea, demonstrating they can compete when it matters most.</p> <p>Jordan previously came agonisingly close in 2013, losing to Uruguay in the intercontinental playoff after defeating Uzbekistan on penalties. This time, qualification was secured with a match to spare.</p> <p><strong>Group J Draw</strong>: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan</p> <p>Landing with defending champions Argentina ensures Jordan will face Lionel Messi in what could be his final World Cup.</p> <p>While the group looks formidable, Algeria and Austria represent realistic targets. Jordan's disciplined defensive approach and counter-attacking style could make them awkward opponents in Dallas and San Francisco.</p> <h2>Uzbekistan: Central Asia Finally Arrives</h2> <p>Uzbekistan's 0-0 draw against the UAE on 5 June 2025 made them the first Central Asian nation to qualify for a World Cup.</p> <p>They're also only the third former Soviet republic to reach the tournament, following Russia and Ukraine.</p> <p>The "White Wolves" have been knocking on the door for years. They reached the 2011 Asian Cup semi-finals and narrowly missed the 2014 World Cup playoffs. Under World Cup-winning manager Fabio Cannavaro, they've finally broken through.</p> <p>Their star player is Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov, a 20-year-old who made a €40 million move to the Premier League in January 2025. He provides genuine top-level experience in a squad otherwise largely based in domestic leagues and across Asia.</p> <p><strong>Group K Draw</strong>: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Intercontinental Playoff Winner</p> <p>Facing Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in Houston will be a marquee moment for Uzbek football. Colombia presents a significant challenge, but the playoff winner (DR Congo, Jamaica, or New Caledonia) offers a genuine opportunity.</p> <p>Uzbekistan's unbeaten qualifying campaign (winning four and drawing two in their group) suggests they won't be pushovers.</p> <h1>Something More to Keep in Mind</h1> <p>You shouldn’t be thinking about the upcoming FIFA World Cup using the same logic you’ve used in the past, since the expanded format significantly improves advancement chances for debutants.</p> <p>With 32 of 48 teams progressing from the group stage (top two plus eight best third-placed teams), a single strong result could be enough to continue their campaigns.</p> <p>Historical precedent offers mixed signals. Costa Rica reached the 2014 quarter-finals as relative unknowns, while Saudi Arabia's 2022 victory over Argentina showed debutants can produce individual match upsets. However, Iceland (2018) and Panama (2018) both exited at the group stage despite heroic support.</p> <p>For <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/world-cup/mens-world-cup/fifa-world-cup-2026-outrights-7009197">FIFA World Cup outright markets</a>, none of these four nations will trouble the title favourites.</p> <p>However, punters seeking value in group stage outcomes, Asian handicap markets, and individual match betting may find opportunities, particularly in fixtures where debutants face each other or the eventual playoff winners.</p>