The FIFA World Cup is football’s greatest tournament, held every 4 years among the senior men’s national teams of the members of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport’s governing body.
FIFA consists of 211 member associations, but only 80 nations have participated at least once in the men’s tournament since the FIFA World Cup began in 1930.
Brazil have played in all 22 previous editions of the tournament, with Germany second with 20 appearances. Argentina closes the top 3 nations with 19 appearances.
History Awaits at the FIFA World Cup
The number of teams that have never debuted is expected to drop at the FIFA World Cup 26, in which a record 48 teams will take part (previously 32), offering opportunities to countless aspiring debutants.
This article looks at nations on the verge of qualifying for the 2026 tournament.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
Jordan
Ranked 62 globally in FIFA Rankings with a national population of 11 million people, the Jordanians are locked in a four-way battle for two qualifying spots in Group B.
They head into the final two matches three points behind Korea Republic but one ahead of Iraq and three clear of Oman.
Jordan could even seal a World Cup berth with a game to spare if they beat Oman in Muscat and Iraq lose to the Korean frontrunners in Basra.
Upcoming Jordan fixtures
5th June 2025 – vs Oman (A)
10th June 2025 – vs Iraq (H)
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is ranked 57th in the FIFA rankings with a national population of 36 million people. With several world cup qualifiers matches to go, Uzbekistan is looking to have the firmest grip on a guaranteed World Cup spot.
Also Read: Everything You Need to Know Ahead of FIFA Club World Cup 2025
The White Wolves have a four-point cushion over United Arab Emirates in Group A thanks to five wins and two draws from their eight matches so far.
All they need now is a point from their upcoming trip to Abu Dhabi to be assured of claiming their place in history.
Upcoming Uzbekistan fixtures
5th June, 2025 – vs UAE (A)
10th June, 2025 – vs Qatar (H)
Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF)
Cabo Verde
Ranked 72 in FIFA rankings, the Cabo Verde group of islands located off Africa’s west coast consists of a population of 0.5 million people.
They surprisingly lead continental giants Cameroon at this stage of qualifying in Group D, with a one-point lead on the Indomitable Lions and five-point gap to Libya in third after four wins and a draw from their six matches.
Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF)
Curaçao
Curaçao has a population of 150,000 people and stands at 90 in FIFA rankings.
While Concacaf qualifying is at a much earlier stage than its equivalent preliminary competitions, Curaçao have made a flying start with maximum points from their opening two matches.
They sit level with Haiti, five clear of the chasing pack, and in a strong position to take one of Group C’s two spots in the confederation’s final round of qualifying.
Canada, Mexico, and USA all out of the Concacaf qualifying mix, have already sealed spots as World Cup co-hosts.
Upcoming fixtures
6th June 2025 – vs St. Lucia (H)
10th June 2025 vs Haiti (A)
Also Read: Tottenham Hotspurs Address Ange Postecoglou’s Future with the Club
Guatemala
Guatemala ranks 106th in FIFA standings and has a national population of 18 million people.
Aiming to utilize the absence of continental football giants in North America’s qualifying stages, the nation currently sits top of Group E ahead of Jamaica on goal difference, and three points clear of Dominican Republic, who they face in their respective last two qualifier games.
Upcoming Guatemala fixtures
6th June – vs Dominican Republic (H)
10th June – vs Jamaica (A)
Nicaragua
With a population of 6.8 million people, Nicaragua stands at 133 in FIFA’s latest rankings.
Los Pinoleros led Group D on goal difference, having won their opening two matches by an aggregate score of 8-1.
Panama is second in the group and remain heavy favorites to win the section, with a fiercely contested match expected when they play Nicaragua in the final qualifying match.
Second spot will, however, be enough to take Nicaragua into the second round of Concacaf qualifying and a step closer to that elusive World Cup debut.
Upcoming Nicaragua fixtures
6th June – vs Guyana (H)
10th June -vs Panama (A)
Suriname
Suriname has a total population of 600,000 people and ranks 137 in FIFA rankings.
Wins in each of their opening two matches have left Suriname top of Group F, two points clear of Puerto Rico and El Salvador, and sparked dreams of displaying their skills at next year’s global finals.
Upcoming Suriname fixtures
6th June – vs Puerto Rico (H)
10th June – vs El Salvador (A)
Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (CONMEBOL)
Venezuela
Venezuela has a total population of 28.5 million people and is 47th in FIFA rankings.
La Vinotinto still sit seventh in the South American standings, having picked up 15 points in nine of their 14 matches, and are in pole position to claim CONMEBOL’s solo spot in the FIFA Play Off Tournament.
With a one-point lead on Bolivia, a five-point gap to Peru and Chile, hopes remain high of a breakthrough for the confederation’s only team never to have competed on the global stage.
Upcoming Venezuela fixtures
6th June – vs Bolivia (H)
10th June – vs Uruguay (A)
Oceania Football Confederation (OFC)
New Caledonia
New Caledonia has a population of 0.27 million people and is 151st in FIFA rankings.
Despite being edged out by New Zealand in the battle to claim Oceania’s only guaranteed World Cup berth, New Caledonia nonetheless became the first and, to date, only team to secure a place in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
