The World Cup Lineup is Set
The qualification phase for the upcoming World Cup has concluded, and the final lineup of teams has been confirmed. With 48 nations set to compete in North America, this will be the largest World Cup ever held, featuring a mix of established powerhouses and emerging teams.
The qualification campaign, which spanned 2 1/2 years, saw an impressive total of 2,527 goals scored across all matches. On Tuesday, six countries secured their spots in the tournament, marking the end of a long and intense process.
Sweden’s Unlikely Journey
One of the most surprising stories from the qualification phase is that of Sweden. Despite finishing last in their group, with two draws and four losses, they managed to qualify for the World Cup through a unique pathway.
Sweden was given a second chance due to their performance in the Nations League competition in 2024-25. They topped their group in League C, defeating Azerbaijan, Slovakia, and Estonia. This achievement earned them a spot in the World Cup playoffs, where they defeated Ukraine 3-1 in the semifinals and Poland 3-2 in the final match.
While some may question whether Sweden deserves to be at the World Cup, the team remains focused on the opportunity ahead.
Italy’s Continued Struggles
Italy, one of the most storied nations in football history, has once again failed to qualify for the World Cup. This marks the third time in recent years that the Azzurri have missed out, following previous failures in 2018 and 2022.
The latest setback came after a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina, leading to widespread reflection on the state of Italian football. Many factors have been cited for the decline, including poor player development, management issues, and coaching decisions.
Interestingly, several former Italian coaches are now leading other national teams. Vincenzo Montella guided Turkey to a playoff victory, while Fabio Cannavaro took charge of Uzbekistan, who will make their World Cup debut. Carlo Ancelotti is now the coach of Brazil, and Claudio Ranieri declined the Italian job, which eventually went to Gennaro Gattuso.
Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, has also been involved in the situation. His private jet was seen in Antalya, Turkey, where he met with Iranian officials. This meeting followed the bombing of Iran by the United States and Israel. FIFA has made it clear that Iran will play its games as scheduled in Los Angeles and Seattle, despite demands from Iranian officials to move the matches to Mexico.
New Faces at the World Cup
This year’s expanded tournament has brought in several new teams, each with its own unique story.
Curaçao, the smallest nation by population to ever qualify, has about 156,000 people. Cape Verde, an archipelago off the western coast of Africa, is another newcomer. Congo, which has not appeared in the World Cup since 1974, returns after decades of conflict in its eastern region.
Uzbekistan, Jordan, and Curaçao also join the list of first-time participants, adding to the excitement of the tournament.
Visa Challenges for New Teams
With the World Cup just 10 weeks away, the U.S. State Department is preparing for an influx of fans from the newly qualified teams. Iraq, Turkey, and Congo are among those applying for visas, with the U.S. offering a “FIFA Pass” for fast-track service.
Six national federations, including Bosnia-Herzegovina, Czech Republic, and Sweden, have received ticket allocations from FIFA for their games. These tickets are typically given to loyal fans who supported their teams throughout the qualification phase.
However, some African countries, such as Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia, require a visa bond of up to $15,000 to ensure that fans do not overstay their visits.
Staying Informed
For the latest updates on business news, stock market changes, IPO announcements, and personal finance, follow ET Now’s comprehensive coverage. Track live share market data, mutual funds, and real-time news events as they unfold.
