World Cup 2026’s potential surprise participants: Venezuela, Bolivia and Iraq could qualify

Although not all of the qualification zones for the FIFA 2026 World Cup have been activated yet, the ones that are underway already have some surprise names in contention for qualification at the end of the current process. UEFA is the most notable region to not yet get underway in terms of the road to the United States, Mexico and Canada in two years’ time but other zones such as CONMEBOL, CAF and AFC are already battling for their tickets to the North American event. We take a look at some of the most unexpected names that are current in contention as well as the surprise names that have even more surprisingly already been to a World Cup.

Here are the most notable so far.

Noteworthy mentions

Iraq: Although many looking at AFC Group B and seeing Iraq leading the way might assume that the Lions of Mesopotamia are en route to their first-ever World Cup with seven points from three games to be tied with South Korea, it is not the case. The Iraqi outfit was present at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico for its only appearance to date which is why Jesus Casas’ men would not be making first-time history if they do qualify.

Bolivia: Seeing La Verde in an automatic CONMEBOL spot will come as a big surprise to many, but perhaps even more surprising is that qualification for the 2026 World Cup would not be their first, second, or even third time. Bolivia have already appeared at the 1930, 1950, and 1994 events, and although they all ended in the group stage, those outings mean that they would be anything but first-timers come 2026.

AFC

Uzbekistan: In strong early form in the AFC zone are the Uzbeks who were still part of the Soviet Union up until the 1990 World Cup. Up until after the 1994 edition, Uzbekistan was not even a recognized FIFA member yet they are in the discussion for a first-ever appearance come 2026. With three games played, international management specialist Srecko Katanec’s White Wolves have seven points from a possible nine and are level with Iran in Group A. The pair drew 0-0 earlier this October international break and a home win over United Arab Emirates could offer real hope that a maiden World Cup outing could be in the works. A trip to face Qatar before the end of this year could turn out to be crucial but things are looking good so far for Uzbekistan.

CAF

Sudan: Onto the CAF region now and a very unexpected name leads Group B ahead of African giants Senegal with Sudan boasting 10 points from a possible 12 to enjoy a two-point cushion over the Lions of Teranga. Part of the United Kingdom until the 1938 World Cup, the Sudanese did not enter the qualifiers twice and have withdrawn three times in the past. Here they are in 2024, though, with a real shot at finishing in the top two and potentially booking a place at the 2026 event.

Rwanda: Not a FIFA member in 1978, the Wasps did not enter the qualifiers on three occasions and also withdrew once yet they currently lead South Africa in Group C for now. Rwanda have seven points from a possible 12 and Benin are also there with Bafana Bafana on seven points but Torsten Spittler’s men really caught the eye with a 2-0 home win over the South Africans almost one year ago. If the Rwandans can pick up where they left off, then history could be in the making here.

Comoros: Competing as part of France up until 1974, the Coelacanths were not even FIFA-affiliated until the 2010 World Cup. Today, though, they are top of Group I in the CAF region with nine points having already beaten Ghana 1-0 at home with Myziane Maolida getting the only goal of the game in Moroni. With a large majority of players based in France, Comoros could also be capable of shocking the Black Stars away which could really put a shock qualification on the cards.

CONMEBOL

Venezuela: Although only in an inter-confederation playoff spot for now, the Vinotinto are performing above expectations under Fernando Batista and are within a single point of an automatic qualification berth. Not even a FIFA member between 1930 and 1950, the Venezuelans did not enter twice and withdrew twice but now are holding their own against the likes of Brazil and Argentina. Aided by the tight nature of the current CONMEBOL qualifiers, we could be about to see a surprise qualifier out of South America.