Pressure builds towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and with qualification yet to be settled, 13 countries have already booked their place on the sport’s initial stage. A record 48 countries will feature in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and so everything more than ever is hanging on the result. All, however, is not the preserve of the old masters; two new countries have entered center stage and are hoping to shatter records.
The early qualifiers: Who’s in so far and what’s left to be won for the 2026 World Cup
The roll so far for the qualified squads, according to CBS Sports, includes a list of the world’s biggest nations. The United States, Mexico, and Canada, three of the 13 currently qualified, are joined by former football giants Argentina, Brazil, and France. Qualification is still in progress, and with 48 to be allocated, there’s much more in the way of teams vying for their position in the expanded competition.
Qualifying is ongoing. Fox Sports states, “The process continues and a few more teams will join the list over the next few months.” That is, though the 13 already qualified champagne corks the event, dozens labor on with World Cup aspirations.
That is the way the expanded format is remaking the World Cup qualifying process
With the highest number of venues to display ever, the World Cup 2026 is offering newly rising nations a chance to debut. The new format will create competitiveness and inclusivity, offering a chance to a team that never had one before. The innovation has already paid off, with two new ones entering the pack as the largest surprises so far in the qualifiers.
The new boys: Uzbekistan and Jordan join World Cup history as first-timers
The true stars of this qualifying round are Uzbekistan and Jordan. Despite all the expectations, both nations have qualified for their first World Cups and left their fans in ecstatic celebrations. The war has only just finished, yet the world is already stuck to their television sets.
According to CBS Sports, “Uzbekistan and Jordan are going to debut in World Cup in 2026, a proving ground for the rising power of football in Asia.”
Uzbekistan’s ride was the most exciting, struggling, but hard in the Asian qualifiers. Jordan surprised regional competitors to achieve their record mark, though.
Fox Sports confirms, “Jordan and Uzbekistan are the two surprise debutants, and their qualification is a major milestone for both countries.”
And this is how Uzbekistan and Jordan’s qualification is making smiles on a new generation of fans
For both countries, a World Cup qualification is not just a winning game—it’s national glory and inspiration. Whatever they do will bring the sport of football back home to the indigenous people and will make kids dream big. These accounts are testament that anything can be done at the international level with the might of perseverance and togetherness.
What’s next: The battle for the last 35 and what to look out for
With 13 already in the bag and 35 to be filled, the battle can only become so much more competitive. Old timers and new giants are fighting local qualifiers to become a part of the party in North America. The new format threatens more, but also indigestion, as every one of the games could be the difference between triumph and devastation.
In accordance with CBS Sports, “the qualifying process far from done, and the next few months are pivotal for bubble teams.”
With the two new countries—Uzbekistan and Jordan— hogging all the limelight and 13 already being qualified, the tournament has more new stories and memories etched in their minds for eternity. The war is only just over, but the world is already glued to its TV sets.
