The New Dreamers on the Road to the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup, set to take place in Mexico, the United States, and Canada, promises to be a historic edition, not only because of its expanded format, but also because of the new nations that could make their debut in the most prestigious tournament on the planet.

Cape Verde, Jordan, and Uzbekistan have already secured their spots, joining the list of confirmed debutants. However, several places are still up for grabs, and a handful of national teams continue to dream of joining the global football celebration. Some depend on themselves, while others need a true football miracle to punch their ticket to the big stage.

Africa: Gabon’s Hope and Miracle

On the African continent, Gabon could pull off an unprecedented feat. Led by stars such as Denis Bouanga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the team keeps its hopes alive. Their situation, however, is complicated. They must win and hope that Ivory Coast fails to do the same against Kenya. With 22 points, Les Panthères are just one step away from achieving a historic milestone for their nation.

Concacaf: Suriname and Curaçao Challenge the Giants

In the Americas, the surprise could come from the Caribbean.
Suriname currently leads its group, tied on points with Panama but ahead on goal difference, a position that keeps their dream of a first-ever World Cup appearance alive. Curaçao, meanwhile, made a strong statement by defeating Jamaica at the Ergilio Hato Stadium, solidifying a journey that seemed impossible just a few years ago.

Europe: Kosovo and the Fight for a Dream

Within UEFA, Kosovo keeps its dream alive after a historic victory over Sweden in Stockholm — a result that leaves them on the brink of a continental playoff.
With a young and ambitious generation, the Balkan side dreams of reaching its first-ever World Cup since gaining recognition as a national team in 2016. Should they qualify, it would be one of the most inspiring stories of the entire tournament.

The road is still long, but hope burns brighter than ever. The 2026 World Cup could be remembered not only for its iconic host nations but also for the new names joining the world football map.