FIFA ranking: No. 63
Population: about 11 million
Group: Group J (Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan)
Road to qualification
Jordan football has waited 40 years for this day.
Since making their World Cup qualifying debut in 1986, Jordan have hovered between Asia’s second and third tier. Their closest call came in 2014, when they reached the intercontinental playoff but lost to Uruguay.
On June 6, 2025, Jordan secured a top-two finish in the third round of Asian qualifying and reached the World Cup finals for the first time. They are the second new Asian entrant after Uzbekistan in the expanded tournament format.
It is also worth noting that Jordan reached the final of the 2024 Asian Cup. Although they ultimately lost to Qatar, they had already shown that this team’s rise was no coincidence.
Key figures
Jordan’s centerpiece is Mousa Tamari, who plays for Ligue 1 side Rennes. He is the team’s undisputed leader and captain. During World Cup qualifying, he posted the team’s best attacking numbers.
Unfortunately, the team’s leading scorer, Yazan Al-Naimat, suffered a serious ACL injury in December 2025 and has been confirmed to miss the World Cup.
Head coach Jamal Sellami has named a preliminary 30-man squad that includes overseas players such as Yazan Al-Arab of FC Seoul and Nizar Al-Rashdan of Qatar SC.
Jordan’s tactical style has been described by the media as “relentless running and defensive organization,” followed by quick counterattacks. Tamari is the team’s main outlet in transition.
World Cup prospects and betting angle
Group J has not been kind to Jordan’s draw, with defending champions Argentina in the same group. Algeria and Austria are also tough opponents.
But Jordan’s advantage is that no one really knows them. The Athletic described Jordan as “compact and hard to break down.” If they can steal a draw from Algeria or Austria, that would already be a major success.
From a betting perspective, against Argentina the handicap will likely be set at Jordan +2 goals or more. Defending champions often do not go all out in their opening group game, so the underdog side is worth considering. Against Algeria and Austria, Jordan getting fewer than one goal also merits attention.
In one sentence: the runners-up at the Asian Cup, led by Tamari, are not here just to make up the numbers.
Four. Uzbekistan: the Central Asian White Wolves finally break through
FIFA ranking: No. 57
Population: about 37.54 million
Group: Group K (Portugal, Colombia, Congo, Uzbekistan)
Road to qualification
Uzbekistan football has waited far too long for this day.
Since independence, Uzbekistan have been a second-tier power in Asian football — always reaching the final stages of qualification, always just missing out on a World Cup ticket. In both 2006 and 2014, they fell in the playoff round. “One step away” has almost become their fate.
On June 6, 2025, Uzbekistan drew 0-0 away to the United Arab Emirates to seal second place in Group A of the third round with 18 points, securing qualification with one round to spare. They became the first of the five Central Asian nations to reach the World Cup.
Uzbekistan’s rise is no accident. They have invested heavily in youth development for years: they won the U20 Asian Cup in 2023, finished runners-up at the U23 Asian Cup in 2024 while qualifying for the Olympics for the first time, and in April they won the U17 Asian title again in Saudi Arabia after a 13-year wait.
Key figures
Uzbekistan have a superstar on the rise in the Premier League:
Abdukodir Khusanov: 21 years old, a centre-back for Manchester City, and the first Uzbek player ever to appear in the Premier League. On the World Cup stage, he will be the undisputed anchor of the defense.
In addition, the attack features Shomurodov of Roma, who provides the team with a reliable source of goals. Midfield leader Akhmedov brings plenty of experience.
World Cup prospects and betting angle
Group K includes two giants, Portugal and Colombia, while Congo is a physically imposing African side. Uzbekistan face a very difficult path to the knockout stage.
But their advantage is that no one really knows them. If the Khusanov-led defense can withstand Colombia’s pressure, there is a chance to snatch some points.
From a betting perspective, against Portugal the handicap will likely be around +2 goals for Uzbekistan, which makes the underdog side worth considering — Portugal often start slowly in group play. Against Congo, a clash between two newcomers may be Uzbekistan’s best chance to take points. The under is the safer choice.
In one sentence: with a Manchester City defender marshalling the back line and a Roma striker up front, this Central Asian side looks the strongest on paper among the four newcomers.
The shared fate of the newcomers: win one game, and it is a victory
For these four teams making their World Cup debut, the harsh truth is that they are almost certainly not title contenders, and even advancing from the group will be difficult.
But the meaning of expansion was never to give more teams a realistic shot at the trophy. It was to give more countries the chance to stand on the world stage.
The children of Curaçao once had to watch the World Cup on television. Now, they can point at the screen and say — that’s one of ours.
Uzbekistan’s fans have endured too many heartbreaks of being “one step away.” Now, they can finally stand proudly on the grass of the World Cup.
For these newcomers, the goal at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico is simple: win one game, even if it is only one.
That would mean celebration across an entire nation.
And for you, the bettor watching the odds — it could be an unexpected tuition fee.
