The nations that are about to make World Cup history

For many European nations, the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers seem far away, yet elsewhere many continents are already deep into their qualification process for world football’s greatest tournament. The addition of 16 extra spots at the 2026 World Cup Finals (taking the number of nations to 48) means that many countries who didn’t stand a chance of qualifying previously look more likely to than ever. Africa, Asia and South America are already producing some intriguing qualification storylines, so who are the nations that are looking to create history?

Uzbekistan (Current FIFA World Ranking - 60th)

Uzbekistan look the likeliest to reach the World Cup from the list. The country have had recent success at youth level, and are the current under 20 champions of Asia. In the third round of AFC qualifiers, the Uzbeks sit second in Group A with the same amount of points as first-placed Iran and six points ahead of third-placed UAE.

Both of the top two receive instant entry to the World Cup so without a single loss so far and a six-point cushion, Uzbekistan have made a great start.

Football in Uzbekistan is looking the best it has ever. Fan participation is solid, infrastructure is getting better every year and youth football is getting closer to being amongst the best in Asia. pic.twitter.com/uaJVJMvQsF
— Conor 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇿 (@_UzbekFootball) May 19, 2024

Jordan (Current FIFA World Ranking - 68th)

2023 Asian Cup runners up Jordan are another nation yet to be represented at the World Cup but are battling at the top of their qualification group. Currently placed second in Group B, Jordan face tough competition from South Korea (who top the group) and Iraq, with whom they are tied on points.

Goals have not been hard to come by for the Middle Eastern side, forward Yazan Al-Naimat has found the back of the net seven times in 2026 qualifiers, a figure that is only beaten by three players worldwide. Montpellier winger Musa Al-Taamari has also been in fine form with a six-goal return, he’s also the only player in the squad who currently plays in Europe.

Jordan 🇯🇴 make it 2-0 with this wonderful goal!

South Korea 🇰🇷 need a miracle! pic.twitter.com/kiPIkdJh1Y
— Al Nassr Zone (@TheNassrZone) February 6, 2024

Sudan (Current FIFA World Ranking - 120th)

The African route to the World Cup is brutal due to the amount of teams participating. With nine groups of six teams, only first place receive automatic qualification which is something that Sudan are currently achieving. Fighting in a group with strong favourites Senegal as well as D.R. Congo, Sudan are two points clear at the top and yet to lose. This is tied in with a strong AFCON qualification campaign, where Sudan recently beat Ghana to all but qualify for the continental tournament, knocking the Ghanaians out in the process. This is all without even mentioning the ongoing civil war in the country - meaning home fixtures are played abroad - making their achievements all the more impressive.

Wow. Sudan just beat Ghana 2-0 in AFCON qualifiers. They haven’t played games in their home country due to the ongoing war, but their men’s national team has been one of the best sports stories in 2024.

2 matches left, Sudan is on the verge of securing a spot in AFCON 2025 pic.twitter.com/HPQDf9JwSQ
— Master (@MasterTes) October 15, 2024

Rwanda (Current FIFA World Ranking - 130th)

Rwanda are another surprise package who sit top of their World Cup qualifying group. Group C also contains AFCON champions, Nigeria who are surprisingly in fifth and winless. The Rwandans have picked up key wins against South Africa and Benin so far and will be hopeful to reach their first ever World Cup.

Comoros (Current FIFA World Ranking - 118th)

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has 54 members recognised by FIFA, and yet only 13 have been to a World Cup which leaves a vast number of nations looking to make their debut appearance in 2026. Comoros are the third country that are yet to appear at a World Cup and currently sit top of their group in a qualification spot.

The group of islands with a population of under a million became a FIFA member in 2005 and only made their first major international tournament in 2021 (where they famously reached the round of 16). An emphatic win over Ghana as well as the Central African Republic means they have 9 points from the opening four games, but face tough competition if they are to make it to the world’s biggest stage.

Venezuela (Current FIFA World Ranking - 40th)

CONMEBOL, South America’s football governing body is the smallest in the world with 10 members (even Oceania beat them with 11 members) therefore it may come as a surprise that there is still one nation that has never appeared at a World Cup. Venezuela is the fifth most populous country on the continent with over 30 million and have attempted qualification 14 times, no other country in CONMEBOL has appeared at a World Cup Finals less than three times.

The 2026 World Cup will present Venezuela with a chance to finally achieve their dream with six of the ten teams receiving automatic qualification and the seventh entering the inter-confederation play-offs. The ‘Vinotinto’ (the national team’s nickname translating to red wine) started competitively but now sit in eighth behind 83rd in the world Bolivia. That being said there are still eight matches to be played, and Venezuela are just two points from sixth and one from seventh.

CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying Update (Matchday 10)

Paraguay 🇵🇾 now into direct qualification place. Venezuela 🇻🇪 has fallen off, and we currently project them in the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/Wy3yXYVdkx
— We Global Football (@We_Global) October 16, 2024