{"handle":"showcase","slug":"world-cup-2026-debutants","version":5,"visibility":"public","rows":11,"updated_at":"2026-05-11T07:16:16.769Z","data":[{"team":"Curaçao","type":"Debut","last_wc":null,"years_absent":null,"confederation":"CONCACAF","story":"Smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup (population ~155,000)."},{"team":"Jordan","type":"Debut","last_wc":null,"years_absent":null,"confederation":"AFC","story":"First World Cup appearance in Jordanian history."},{"team":"Cape Verde","type":"Debut","last_wc":null,"years_absent":null,"confederation":"CAF","story":"Island nation's first World Cup, population ~525,000."},{"team":"Uzbekistan","type":"Debut","last_wc":null,"years_absent":null,"confederation":"AFC","story":"First World Cup for Uzbekistan, managed by Italian legend Fabio Cannavaro."},{"team":"Algeria","type":"Return","last_wc":2014,"years_absent":12,"confederation":"CAF","story":"Back at the World Cup after 12 years, last reached the Round of 16 in 2014."},{"team":"Norway","type":"Return","last_wc":1998,"years_absent":28,"confederation":"UEFA","story":"Returning to the World Cup after 28 years, with Erling Haaland leading the attack."},{"team":"Scotland","type":"Return","last_wc":1998,"years_absent":28,"confederation":"UEFA","story":"Back at the World Cup for the first time since 1998."},{"team":"Austria","type":"Return","last_wc":1998,"years_absent":28,"confederation":"UEFA","story":"First World Cup appearance since 1998 — drawn into Group J with Argentina."},{"team":"Iraq","type":"Return","last_wc":1986,"years_absent":40,"confederation":"AFC","story":"First World Cup in 40 years — second appearance ever."},{"team":"Haiti","type":"Return","last_wc":1974,"years_absent":52,"confederation":"CONCACAF","story":"Returning for the first time since 1974 — 52 years between appearances."},{"team":"DR Congo","type":"Return","last_wc":1974,"years_absent":52,"confederation":"CAF","story":"First appearance since 1974 (then Zaire) — 52 years absent."}]}