Three teams will participate in the 2026 World Cup for the first time

Cape Verde writes miracle in 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

In the early morning of October 14, the national team of a country with a population of only nearly 600,000, Cape Verde, defeated Eswatini 3-0, thereby winning the first World Cup ticket in history. The 2026 World Cup therefore became a rare tournament in history, witnessing so many rookie teams.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup expanding to 48 teams, the opportunity opens up for lesser-known teams, and Cape Verde, Uzbekistan and Jordan have played brilliantly to write their own stories.

Cape Verde topped Group D of the African qualifiers, beating contender Cameroon to secure a historic ticket. Having never appeared in a World Cup before, and even with a modest record in the Africa Cup of Nations, this small island nation off the coast of West Africa with a population of only about 600,000 people has created a miracle.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan have finally overcome their Asian qualifying woes, despite their footballing pedigree. Uzbekistan have never before qualified for the World Cup as an independent nation (although they were part of the Soviet Union and participated a few times before 1991).

To prepare for the 2026 World Cup, the Uzbekistan Football Federation invited coach Fabio Cannavaro to lead the team. They hope that this coach can bring a new wind to the team. If he does well, Cannavaro will have his contract extended and have the opportunity to lead Uzbekistan in the 2030 World Cup.

2006 World Cup champion Fabio Cannavaro unexpectedly returned as head coach of the Uzbekistan national team.

As for Jordan, the current runner-up of the AFC Asian Cup 2023, they are showing impressive form and a strong force. This is the first time Jordan has participated in the most prestigious tournament on the planet, marking a major turning point for a team that is rising to become a regional power.

The presence of Cape Verde, Uzbekistan and Jordan is not only the story of "tiny giants" but also demonstrates the diversity and appeal of the 2026 World Cup, promising to bring many surprises at the tournament.

Source: https://znews.vn/ba-doi-lan-dau-du-world-cup-2026-post1593489.html