Algeria is making its first appearance at the World Cup since 2014, which was also the team’s best finish ever in the tournament— reaching the Round of 16. The national team has also lifted two Africa Cup of Nations titles, in 1990 and 2019, establishing a long-standing presence in African competition. The roster is filled…
Arguably the biggest upset in World Cup history came courtesy of Saudi Arabia in 2022, taking down eventual champions Argentina in the group stage. The team has made six of the last eight editions of the tournament, even making it to the Round of 16 in 1994. Saudi Arabia has also won three AFC Asian…
Iran enters the 2026 FIFA World Cup after extending a long run of consistent qualification, marking a fourth straight appearance in the tournament. The squad features a core built around players from the Persian Gulf Pro League and several established contributors from European clubs. Steady performances in AFC qualifying and a familiar group of veterans…
Uzbekistan enters the 2026 World Cup as a first-time qualifier, reaching the tournament after decades of near misses in AFC competition. The appearance marks a major milestone for a program that has remained a consistent contender in Asian qualifying since joining FIFA in the 1990s. How they Qualified: Uzbekistan clinched a place at the 2026…
Jordan enters the 2026 World Cup after securing its first-ever qualification, advancing through AFC competition following a breakthrough run to the 2023 Asian Cup final. The national team features a mix of domestic league standouts and players competing in Europe and the Middle East, forming one of Jordan’s most complete squads in recent years. The…
Tunisia arrives at the World Cup with one of Africa’s most consistent qualification records, having reached the tournament six times since 1998. The national team maintains a roster built from a mix of domestic standouts and players competing in France, Germany and the Middle East. Tunisia’s appearance in 2026 continues a long run of involvement…
Egypt has been one of Africa’s most established national teams, highlighted by a record seven Africa Cup of Nations titles and past World Cup appearances in 1934, 1990 and 2018. The national team continues to draw heavily from the Egyptian Premier League and will be led by one of the best players in the world…
South Africa returns to the World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010, marking a significant milestone for a program that has spent more than a decade rebuilding through African qualifying rounds. The appearance adds to a national-team history that includes AFCON success in the late 1990s, having won the tournament…
Qatar enters the tournament with recent major-tournament experience, having hosted the 2022 edition and won the Asian Cup in both 2019 and 2023. The national team continues to draw heavily from the Qatar Stars League, supported by a core that has played together through multiple AFC cycles and regional competitions. How they Qualified: Qatar secured…
What if a country with a population that is 60 times smaller than Texas made the World Cup? That’s exactly what Cape Verde did, as the country of approximately barely over half a million people will make its first appearance ever at the tournament. The squad features a core made up of players competing in…
