There are plenty of familiar faces competing at the 2026 World Cup and also some much welcome fresh faces too who are taking part for the first time.
But included in heading to North America this summer are several nations who haven’t graced the globe with their presence for too long.
We look at five nations who we are very excited to see on the world stage once more.
Scotland
After 28 long, painful summers, the World Cup will finally welcome the Tartan Army back and their presence both in the stands and on the field will certainly brighten Boston, Miami and more up.
After decades in the doldrums, Steve Clarke has revived his homeland’s fortunes since taking over, qualifying for successive European Championships before booking their ticket to the USA with an epic 4-2 win over Denmark last November to top their qualifying group.
They have traditionally disappointed at the World Cup as no team has qualified more without ever making it out of the group stage but this group of players are well placed to end that unwanted hoodoo.
With Ballon d’Or nominee and Napoli hero Scott McTominay leading a group which also includes the likes of John McGinn and Andy Robertson, they are a side capable of causing a surprise or two.
Austria
Like Scotland, Austria are another UEFA outfit who haven’t attended a World Cup since France ’98 and it is good to have one of the game’s traditional powerhouses back among the big boys.
High-intensity coach Ralf Rangnick has name a squad filled with familiar names, many of whom are on the veteran side and will be keenly aware that this may be their one and only chance to compete for this cup.
Those include captain David Alaba, evergreen forward Marko Arnautović and Marcel Sabitzer, who will be ably assisted by a strong core group who will prove a tough nut for any nation to crack.
If this is their only crack at it, expect them to be well prepared to cause problems – particularly for holders Argentina.
Haiti
The longest absence of any side competing at the World Cup, Haiti have not graced this competition with their presence 1974 (as is also the case with DR Congo – who were known as Zaire last time they qualified!).
Last time they were on this stage, they famously took the lead against Italy before going on to lose and will be aiming to make more memories or even pull off a giant-killing in a group which includes Brazil, Morocco and Scotland.
Between national instability (they haven’t played a game on home turf for five years), limited resources and fierce CONCACAF competition, we have been deprived of Haiti’s presence at the finals for much too long.
Players to look out for are Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, who is their only player to feature in the Premier League (with Wolves) after being granted a change of allegiance last year, goalkeeper and captain Johny Placide has been picking up caps since 2011 and striker Duckens Nazon is their all-time top scorer with 44 goals.
Norway
It has been 28 years since Norway featured in a World Cup and their return has came just in time.
After all, it would have been a deep shame if players like Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard went through their careers without ever knowing the joy of representing their country on the grandest stage.
Last time they were here, they memorably defeated defending champions Brazil and France aside, they have a reasonably favourable group this time around on paper.
With guaranteed goals from Haaland and co. this could be the real dark horse shout for a long run.
Iraq
It has been 40 long years since Iraq made their one and only previous World Cup appearance, where they lost all three goals and went home from Mexico with a whimper.
The fact that they continue to produce competitive teams despite mass political and societal upheaval and, like Haiti, spells where they could not even compete at home means that they deserve this qualification as much as any long-suffering set of supporters.
They were the last team to book their ticket to North America, where they will be aiming to punch above their underdog status and perhaps even rekindle memories of their historic 2007 Asian Cup success.
Coached by Aussie Graham Arnold, the Lions of Mesopotamia are quietly bullish about their chances and will provide some much needed flavour and change to the traditional qualifiers from their section.
