The expansion to 48 nations delivers the finest story of World Cup 2026: countries that have never been there before finally get to measure themselves against the world's best. These are the debutants we are secretly rooting for, with their shirts as collector's items.
Uzbekistan: at a World Cup for the first time
The greatest success story comes from Central Asia. Uzbekistan qualified for the very first World Cup in its history, after years of just missing out on qualification. The fresh green home shirt is therefore an instantly sought-after item, precisely because you hardly see it anywhere else.
Curaçao: the smallest nation on the stage
With a few hundred thousand inhabitants, Curaçao is one of the very smallest nations ever to qualify for a World Cup. The deep blue shirt with the yellow star is a tribute to an island punching above its weight, and a nod to its strong bond with the Netherlands.
Cape Verde: the Blue Sharks
And Cape Verde, the Blue Sharks, also makes history with a first World Cup appearance. For the large Cape Verdean community in the Netherlands, that shirt is pure pride, and a real statement on the stand.
Why an outsider shirt is so special
A shirt from a powerhouse is beautiful, but a debutant shirt tells a story. It is rarer, more personal and often the talk of the night. Unsure about the size? Our size guide helps you to the right choice in 30 seconds.
From the world's best to a debutant: find the shirt with your story.
Discover all 48 nations
