Curacao, Norway, and Others Set for World Cup Return

The 2026 World Cup will see several nations making their debut or returning after lengthy absences. Curacao, with a population of 150,000, qualifies for its first World Cup, representing the CONCACAF zone.

Cape Verde, which joined FIFA in 1986, also qualifies after a direct group stage qualification, while Uzbekistan returns after restructuring efforts began in 2017. Norway, led by stars Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard, returns to the World Cup stage after a 28-year absence.

Other nations making a comeback include Haiti and Paraguay, with Haiti last appearing 52 years ago. New Zealand, which went unbeaten in the 2010 World Cup but did not win a match, also returns.

The tournament will feature a total of seven nations making their World Cup debut or returning after long absences, showcasing a diverse representation in North America.