Uzbekistan are on the cusp of making their long-awaited World Cup bow.

With former Ballon d’Or winner Fabio Cannavaro at the helm, the former Soviet republic is about to become the first Central Asian country and the first double-landlocked nation to take part in the greatest show on earth.

But what else do you need to know about the White Wolves before they have even kicked a ball in North America?

In the final episode of our four-part series on the 2026 World Cup debutants, it is all about Uzbekistan, who have shed their decades-long nearly-men tag and arguably boast the best chances of any of the newcomers to the competition.

Plus, DR Congo’s preparations are disrupted by the Ebola outbreak and Bosnia bring the largest coffee pot on the planet to North America.

Join our Curaçao v Germany watch-along on Sunday 14 June at 6pm UK time here.

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro

01:45 – The coach: Cannavaro’s playing pedigree

04:00 – The players: Khusanov the star man

08:45 – Qualifying: Nearly men no more

11:09 – Group: Portugal, Colombia & DR Congo

13:16 – DR Congo: Ebola outbreak at home

16:44 – Bosnia: The world’s largest coffee pot

Jordan are at the World Cup finals for the first time ever!

Led by coach Jamal Sellami in the dugout and captain Musa Al-Taamari on the pitch – who do not appear to agree when it comes to tactics – Jordan are set to become the country with the lowest land point to ever play at the finals.

But what else do you need to know about the wonderfully nicknamed Chivalrous Ones ahead of their opening match?

In the third instalment of our four-part series on the 2026 World Cup debutants, we’re turning our attentions to Jordan, who are known for their culinary goal celebrations and seemingly missed the memo for the group-stage draw...

Plus, Panama’s decision to hold an opening training session completely backfires and Norway go full-Viking with their pre-tournament team photo.

Join our Curaçao v Germany watchalong on Sunday 14 June at 6pm UK time here.

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro

01:45 – The coach: Naturalised citizen Sellami

04:30 – The players: Mutinous captain Al-Taamari

10:40 – Qualifying: Sweet revenge on Iraq

13:05 – Group: Algeria, Argentina & Austria

16:12 – Panama: An opening training session to forget

19:08 – Norway: The epic pre-tournament Viking pic

Debutants Curacao are about to break an all-time World Cup record.

Spearheaded by veteran coach Dick Advocaat – soon to be the oldest coach in the tournament’s history – the Caribbean island are the smallest-ever nation to make an appearance at the finals with a population of only 160,000.

So what should you know about the brilliantly nicknamed Blue Wave before they make their bow on the global stage this month?

In the second episode of our four-part series on the 2026 World Cup debutants, we’re focusing on Curacao –a non-independent country that is part of the Netherlands and has as many Europe-born players as first opponents Germany.

Plus, Graham Potter calls up a member of the Swedish nobility in defence and Iran’s final friendly opponents Gambia lose their football boots.

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro

02:48 – The coach: Dick Advocaat’s age record

05:40 – The players: Only Chong born in Curacao

09:15 – Qualifying: VAR scare versus Jamaica

12:05 – Group: Germany, Ivory Coast & Ecuador

15:50 – Gustaf Lagerbielke: Sweden’s defensive baron

17:42 – Gambia: DJ visits and lost football boots