Shock national teams that can qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is closer to us than we think, as Canada, Mexico, and the United States prepare to host the rest of the world.

This summer, the United States will host the Club World Cup, a competition that will test some of its stadiums and its capacity to host the main event next year.

The USA has one of the most advanced top-flight in the world, with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez helping the image of the league by playing at Inter Miami.

Thankfully, the Miami club will play in the Club World Cup, which will be one reason Americans flock to the stadiums to watch the matches.

However, most countries are preparing to compete at the World Cup next summer in the same country.

The qualifying series for the competition is already underway across the different continents on the globe, and there are countries that are not so fancied who could book their place.

When a qualification series for any competition comes around, upsets are usually rampant, so most people who will buy the FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets are probably expecting some debutants at the competition next season.

Some countries, from Asia to Africa and Europe, are keen to make their first appearance at the next World Cup.

In other cases, nations that have not competed in the World Cup for a long time are keen to be back as soon as possible.

The 2026 edition of the World Cup is likely to spring some surprises as some top nations are already struggling.

In this article, we look at countries that could make a shock appearance at the competition next summer.

Uzbekistan

Asia has many nations that have not played in the World Cup since their independence, and one of them is Uzbekistan.

They have been trying to qualify since 1998. In 2014, they were very close to making the playoffs, but never made it.

Twelve years later, they could be among Asia’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with their chance of qualification as high as 80%.

Their 0-0 draw with Iran helped the Iranians qualify for the competition, but Uzbekistan is now just a few points away from qualifying.

If they maintain their second spot in the group, they will qualify directly, but if they slip to third, they would need to qualify via the playoff, but they have a healthy point gap ahead of the UAE.

Their top players like Abdukodir Khusanov and Eldor Shomurodov will make it a goal to help their nation qualify.

Jordan

Jordan is another Asian team that could make their first appearance at the World Cup next summer.

They are currently second in their group behind South Korea by just three points, so they can make the tournament.

If they finish first or second, they will qualify automatically to the group phase of the competition, but finishing third is not the end of the road.

This will qualify them for the intercontinental playoffs, which they lost to Uruguay in 2014.

However, their two remaining group games are against Iraq and Oman, two countries directly below them, so they need results in those matches.

DR Congo

Despite an ongoing war in some parts of the country, DR Congo could be playing at the next World Cup as they currently lead the standings in their qualifying group, which also includes Senegal.

Most people will still consider Senegal as the favourites to finish at the top of the group and clinch the automatic ticket.

However, even if DR Congo finishes second, they still have a good chance of qualifying through the intercontinental playoffs, so this is a good time for their countrymen to dream of a return to the competition for the first time since 1974.

Rwanda

Rwanda is one of the world’s fastest-developing countries, and it even has a sponsorship deal with Arsenal FC.

The Rwandans love football, and they have a good chance of qualifying for the next World Cup in North America.

They are currently second in their group behind South Africa, although five points separate them from the leaders.

Rwanda is above Nigeria and the Benin Republic. If it maintains the second spot, it will play in the intercontinental playoffs to qualify for the competition.

Cape Verde

Cape Verde has been developing into one of the best footballing nations in Africa. They qualified for the last two African Cup of Nations and did well.

In the current qualifying series for the World Cup, they are at the top of their group, even though it also has Cameroon.

At the moment, they have 13 points, while the favourites have 12 points, so the gap is close and Cameroon would feel they can close it.

However, if they fail to close it or underestimate Cape Verde, the tiny island nation will qualify for the World Cup.

Even if they finish second in the group, they have players who can help them beat any nation in an intercontinental playoff game.

Venezuela

Venezuela is one of the few South American teams that have never qualified for the World Cup and has understandably been struggling in this qualifying campaign as well.

However, they have a chance to make their first football World Cup next year as they are currently 7th in the South American qualification standings.

They will represent the continent in the intercontinental playoff if they maintain that spot when the qualifiers end.

However, they have some tough upcoming games, and they must maintain an automatic qualification spot in the top six or seventh spot to qualify.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina made their World Cup debut in 2014 and wants to qualify for the next tournament as well.

After two games, they lead the standings and are in a great position to qualify for the next World Cup if they can maintain their standard.

They are in a group alongside Austria, which is the favourite. However, their players will feel they have a chance, like any other country in that group.

Their task is not simple, but it is straightforward and they will qualify for the World Cup if they win their group or qualify via the playoff if they finish second.