World Cup debutants prove their worth on football’s biggest stage
By Joel Masibo, June 16, 2026By the end of the opening week of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, newly qualified nations had already become some of the competition’s most compelling stories, demonstrating that the tournament’s expansion to 48 teams has brought fresh excitement rather than diminished quality.
One of the most emotional scenes unfolded in Houston when veteran coach Dick Advocaat became visibly emotional as Curaçao’s national anthem played before the Caribbean nation’s first-ever World Cup appearance on Sunday, June 14, 2026, against Germany. For the Dutch tactician, the occasion represented a proud milestone not only for the squad but also for the island’s approximately 150,000 residents.
A day later, another tournament newcomer captured global attention. In Atlanta, Cabo Verde celebrated a remarkable 0-0 result against reigning European champions Spain, sparking jubilant scenes among players and supporters.
These performances have quickly become talking points, reinforcing FIFA’s belief that increasing the number of participating teams would create more opportunities for emerging football nations to shine.
FIFA’s view
FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed satisfaction with the competition’s early success, highlighting both the attendance figures and the competitive nature of the matches.
He pointed to Qatar’s draw against Switzerland as evidence that the gap between traditional football powers and emerging nations continues to narrow.
“Because we know that football today has become very, very competitive everywhere in the world,” Infantino said.
“Everyone can play football, and this is thanks to the work that you are all doing in your respective countries [and regions].” He stated..
However, perhaps no result captured the spirit of this World Cup more than Cabo Verde’s impressive stalemate with Spain. Competing in the tournament for the first time, the small island nation of just over 500,000 people stood firm against one of football’s giants.
At the final whistle, Cabo Verde’s players celebrated passionately on the pitch while their supporters savoured a historic achievement.
“This means everything for our country,” head coach Bubista said.
“We have always said that we wanted everybody to see our country, our team, and we have shown organization and braveness and this is proof of what our country is about – resilience and to try to overcome hardships.”
Defender Steven Moreira described the achievement as “a dream,” while Vozinha, who earned Player of the Match honours, insisted the performance demonstrated that Cabo Verde belongs among football’s elite nations.
Curaçao’s journey followed a different path but carried the same underlying message. Defender Livano Comenencia etched his name into the country’s football history by scoring against Germany in the 21st minute, becoming the first Curaçao player to find the net at a World Cup finals.
Although Germany’s superior quality eventually produced a comfortable victory, the moment remained significant for Curaçao and its supporters.
Debutants
This year’s World Cup introduced four first-time participants: Curaçao, Cabo Verde, Jordan, and Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan became the first nation from Central Asia to qualify for the tournament, while Jordan continued the progress that began with its impressive run to the 2023 AFC Asian Cup final.
Their contributions have extended well beyond simply increasing the number of teams. Just five days into the first 48-team World Cup, FIFA has already witnessed strong crowds, entertaining matches, and a vibrant atmosphere. Perhaps most importantly, the tournament has produced memorable stories that showcase football’s global reach.
From Advocaat’s emotional pre-match tears to Cabo Verde’s historic celebrations, the newcomers have demonstrated that expanding the World Cup has created opportunities for new nations to leave their mark while preserving the magic that defines the sport’s premier event.