The 48 nations in the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup comes to an end tomorrow, 19 July 2026, with the final between Argentina and Spain set to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. This marks the 23rd edition of the world’s premier football tournament (or soccer, as it is known in North America).
The tournament began on 11 June 2026 and made history as the first FIFA World Cup to be hosted by three countries: the United States, Mexico and Canada. It was also the first World Cup since 2002 to be staged across multiple nations. For Canada, this was its first time hosting or co-hosting the tournament, while the United States previously hosted in 1994. Mexico became the first nation ever to host or co-host the men’s FIFA World Cup three times, having also staged the competition in 1970 and 1986. Matches were played across 16 host cities—11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
The 48 nations in the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The 2026 tournament introduced an expanded 48-team format, up from the previous 32 teams. Of the 48 participating nations, I have visited 21. The expanded field featured four World Cup debutants—Cabo Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan—none of which I have yet had the opportunity to visit. I was personally cheering for Japan, but they were narrowly defeated by Brazil in the Round of 32 and were unable to progress further.
Since the inaugural tournament in 1930, only eight nations have lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy. Brazil remains the only country to have qualified for every edition and is also the competition’s most successful team, with five titles. Italy (who did not qualify for the 2026 tournament) and Germany (eliminated by Paraguay in the Round of 32) have won four titles each. Defending champions Argentina have three, while Uruguay and France have two apiece. England and Spain have each won the tournament once.
In this post, I pay tribute to the 48 nations that took part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Much like my previous post, “Farewell to Russia: A Journey Through the Former USSR”, I’ll be sharing a collection of interesting facts, cultural highlights, iconic dishes, and travel trivia about each participating country. As a teaser, only one of the 15 former Soviet republics qualified for this year’s tournament—read on to discover which one.
| 🇩🇿 | Algeria
| Capital city:
Algiers |
| Biggest city:
Algiers |
| Population:
47.5 million people |
| Land area:
2,381,741 km2 |
| Official language(s):
Arabic, Tamazight |
| Predominant religion:
Islam |
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1982 Best result (previously): |
| Round of 16 (2014) |
| 2026 result:
Group stage World Cup host: No Last time I visited: N/A |
| Must-try food:
Couscous: steamed semolina grains traditionally served with slow-cooked vegetables, meat, and a fragrant broth. |
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Air Algérie |
| Fun fact: |
Algeria is the largest country in Africa by area.
| 🇦🇷 | Argentina
| Capital city:
Buenos Aires |
| Biggest city:
Buenos Aires |
| Population:
46.8 million people |
| Land area:
2,780,400 km2 |
| Official language(s):
Spanish |
| Predominant religion:
Christianity (Roman Catholic) |
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1930 Best result (previously): |
| Winners (1978, 1986, 2022) |
| 2026 result:
TBC 19/07/2026 (Finalist) World Cup host: 1978 Spain, Portugal and Morocco will co-host the majority of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, with one “celebratory game” each being held in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. Last time I visited: N/A |
| Must-try food:
Asado: a traditional Argentine barbecue featuring a variety of grilled meats cooked over an open fire. |
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Aerolíneas Argentinas |
| Fun facts: |
| Argentina is home to the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia.
In 2022, Argentina were crowned World Cup champions after winning the final against the title holder France 4–2 on penalties following a 3–3 draw after extra time. It was Argentina’s third title and their first since 1986. Jorge Bucay is an Argentinian gestalt psychotherapist, psychodramatist, and writer. He has written a number of books in Spanish, but unfortunately most of them are yet to be translated into English. “Let Me Tell You a Story: Tales Along the Road to Happiness” (original title: ‘Déjame que te cuente’) is one of the few available in English. Check out my post “Let Me Tell You a Story: Tales along the road to happiness“. |
| 🇦🇺 | Australia
| Capital city:
Canberra |
| Biggest city:
Sydney |
| Population:
27.2 million people |
| Land area:
7,692,024 km2 |
| Official language(s):
No de jure official language (English de facto) |
| Predominant religion:
Christianity |
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1974 Best result (previously): |
| Round of 16 (2006, 2022) |
| 2026 result:
Round of 32 World Cup host: No Last time I visited: N/A |
| Must-try food:
Meat pie: a savoury pastry filled with minced meat and rich gravy, popular throughout Australia. |
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Quantas |
| Fun fact: |
Australia is the only nation to have won continental titles in Asia and Oceania.
| 🇦🇹 | Austria
| Capital city:
Vienna |
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| Biggest city:
Vienna |
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| Population:
9.2 million people |
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| Land area:
83,879 km2 |
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| Official language(s):
German |
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| Predominant religion:
Christianity (Roman Catholic) |
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| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1934 Best result (previously): |
|||||||||||||
| Third place (1954) | |||||||||||||
| 2026 result:
Round of 32 World Cup host: No Last time I visited: May 2026 |
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| Must-try food:
Wiener schnitzel: a thin, breaded and fried veal cutlet that is Austria’s national dish. Check out my post “Marillenkuchen: Austrian Apricot Cake“. |
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| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Austrian Airlines |
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| Fun fact: | |||||||||||||
| The Austrian capital Vienna is often ranked among the world’s most liveable cities.
Check out my post “9 things to do in Vienna“.
| 🇧🇪 | Belgium
Belgium produces hundreds of varieties of beer. |
| 🇧🇦 | Bosnia and Herzegovina
| Capital city:
Sarajevo |
| Biggest city:
Sarajevo |
| Population:
3.2 million people |
| Land area:
51,209 km2 |
| Official language(s):
Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian |
| Predominant religion:
Islam (plurality) |
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
2014 Best result (previously): |
| Group stage (2014) |
| 2026 result:
Round of 32 World Cup host: No Last time I visited: N/A |
| Must-try food:
Ćevapi: grilled minced meat sausages typically served with flatbread, onions, and ajvar. |
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
FlyBosnia |
| Fun facts: |
Bosnia and Herzegovina is home to one of Europe’s last primeval forests.
Bosnia and Herzegovina was one of the six constituent republics of Yugoslavia until it declared independence in 1992, following the country’s dissolution. Check out my upcoming post “Farewell to Yugoslavia” due to be published on 8 August 2026.
| 🇧🇷 | Brazil
Brazil is the only nation to play in every World Cup. |
| 🇨🇦 | Canada
| Capital city:
Ottawa |
| Biggest city:
Toronto |
| Population:
41.7 million people |
| Land area:
9,984,670 km2 |
| Official language(s):
English, French |
| Predominant religion:
Christianity |
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1986 Best result (previously): |
| Group stage (1986, 2022) |
| 2026 result:
Round of 16 World Cup host: 2026 (co-host) |
| Last time I visited:
1999 (a day-trip from the US) Must-try food: Poutine: Canada’s iconic comfort food of fries topped with cheese curds and hot gravy. |
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Air Canada |
| Fun fact: |
Canada has the world’s longest coastline.
| 🇨🇻 | Cabo Verde (Cape Verde)
| Capital city:
Praia |
| Biggest city:
Praia |
| Population:
600,000 people |
| Land area:
4,033 km2 |
| Official language(s):
Portuguese |
| Predominant religion:
Christianity (Roman Catholic) |
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
2026 Best result (previously): |
| N/A |
| 2026 result:
Round of 32 World Cup host: No Last time I visited: N/A |
| Must-try food:
Cachupa: a slow-cooked stew of corn, beans, vegetables, and meat or fish that is Cape Verde’s national dish. |
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Cabo Verde Airlines |
| Fun fact: |
Cabo Verde is an archipelago of ten volcanic islands.
| 🇨🇴 | Colombia
| Capital city:
Bogotá |
| Biggest city:
Bogotá |
| Population:
53 million people |
| Land area:
1,141,748 km2 |
| Official language(s):
Spanish |
| Predominant religion:
Christianity |
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1962 Best result (previously): |
| Quarter-finals (2014) |
| 2026 result:
Round of 16 World Cup host: No Last time I visited: N/A |
| Must-try food:
Bandeja paisa: a generous platter featuring beans, rice, meat, plantain, avocado, egg, and other Colombian favourites. |
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Avianca |
| Fun facts: |
Colombia is the world’s second most biodiverse country.
Colombia’s biggest music star, Shakira, has become one of the artists most closely associated with the FIFA World Cup. She performed “Hips Don’t Lie” for Germany 2006, the official song “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” for South Africa 2010, and “La La La”, one of the tournament’s signature songs for Brazil 2014. In 2026, Shakira strengthened that legacy by teaming up with Burna Boy on “Dai Dai”, the official song of the FIFA World Cup 2026, becoming the first artist to headline official World Cup songs for two different tournaments.
| 🇭🇷 | Croatia
| Capital city:
Zagreb |
| Biggest city:
Zagreb |
| Population:
3.8 million people |
| Land area:
56,594 km2 |
| Official language(s):
Croatian |
| Predominant religion:
Christianity (Roman Catholic) |
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1998 Best result (previously): |
| Runners-up (2018) |
| 2026 result:
Round of 32 World Cup host: No Last time I visited: N/A |
| Must-try food:
Peka: meat or seafood cooked with vegetables under a bell-shaped lid covered with hot embers. |
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Croatia Airlines |
| Fun facts: |
Croatia as more than 1,000 islands.
Croatia was one of the six constituent republics of Yugoslavia until it declared independence in 1992, following the country’s dissolution. Check out my upcoming post “Farewell to Yugoslavia” due to be published on 8 August 2026.
| 🇨🇼 | Curaçao
| Capital city:
Willemstad |
| Biggest city:
Willemstad |
| Population:
150,000 people |
| Land area:
444 km2 |
| Official language(s):
Dutch, Papiamento, English |
| Predominant religion:
Christianity |
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
2026 Best result (previously): |
| N/A |
| 2026 result:
Group stage World Cup host: No Last time I visited: N/A |
| Must-try food:
Keshi yena: a hollowed-out cheese stuffed with spiced meat, olives, and vegetables before being baked. |
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Z Air |
| Fun fact: |
Curaçao is the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup.
| 🇨🇿 | Czechia
| Capital city:
Prague |
| Biggest city:
Prague |
| Population:
10.9 million people |
| Land area:
78,871 km2 |
| Official language(s):
Czech |
| Predominant religion:
Christianity, secular |
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1934, as Czechoslovakia 2006, as Czech Republic Best result (previously): |
| Runners-up (1934, 1962, as Czechoslovakia) |
| 2026 result:
Group stage World Cup host: No Last time I visited: 2004 |
| Must-try food:
Svíčková: marinated beef served in a creamy vegetable sauce with bread dumplings and cranberry sauce. |
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Smartwings |
| Fun fact: |
| Czechia is home to more than 2,000 castles and châteaux. |
| 🇨🇩 | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
|
Capital city:Kinshasa |
|
| Biggest city:
Kinshasa |
|
| Population:
113 million people |
|
| Land area:
2,344,858 km2 |
|
| Official language(s):
French |
|
| Predominant religion:
Christianity |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1974 (as Zaire) Best result (previously): |
|
| Group stage (1974) | |
| 2026 result:
Round of 32 World Cup host: No Last time I visited: N/A |
|
| Must-try food:
Moambe chicken: chicken simmered in a rich palm nut sauce, widely regarded as DR Congo’s national dish. |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Congo Airways |
|
| Fun fact: | |
| DR Congo contains the world’s second-largest rainforest.
|
|
| 🇪🇨 | Ecuador |
|
| Capital city:
Quito |
|
| Biggest city:
Guayaquil |
|
| Population:
18.6 million people |
|
| Land area:
283,561 km2 |
|
| Official language(s):
Spanish |
|
| Predominant religion:
Christianity |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
2002 Best result (previously): |
|
| Round of 16 (2006) | |
| 2026 result:
Round of 32 World Cup host: No Last time I visited: N/A |
|
| Must-try food:
Ceviche: fresh fish or seafood cured in citrus juice and mixed with onions, chilli, and herbs. |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
LATAM Ecuador |
|
| Fun fact: | |
| Ecuador is named after the Equator. The Equator passes through the land of 11 countries of the world. Of those, 4 participate in the 2026 World Cup. The 11 countries traversed by the equator include São Tomé and Príncipe, Gabon, Republic of the Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Somalia, Indonesia, Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador. Also, the Equator traverses the territories of two island nations (the Maldives in the Indian Ocean and Kiribati in the Pacific Ocean) but does not make a landfall in either. | |
| 🇪🇬 | Egypt |
| Capital city:
Cairo |
| Biggest city:
Cairo |
| Population:
118 million people |
| Land area:
1,001,450 km2 |
| Official language(s):
Arabic |
| Predominant religion:
Islam |
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1934 Best result (previously): |
| Group stage (1934, 1990, 2018) |
| 2026 result:
Round of 16 World Cup host: No Last time I visited: N/A |
| Must-try food:
Koshari: Egypt’s beloved street food combining rice, pasta, lentils, chickpeas, tomato sauce, and crispy onions. |
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
EgyptAir |
| Fun fact: |
| Egypt is home to the last surviving ancient wonder, the Great Pyramid of Giza. The seven traditional wonders are the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Colossus of Rhodes, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Temple of Artemis, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Using modern-day countries, two of the wonders were located in Egypt, two in Greece, two in Turkey, and one in Iraq. |
| 🇬🇧 | England |
| Capital city:
London |
| Biggest city:
London |
| Population:
57 million people |
| Land area:
130,279 km2 |
| Official language(s):
English |
| Predominant religion:
Christianity |
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1950 Best result (previously): |
| Winners (1966) |
| 2026 result:
TBC 18/07/2026 (Semi-finalist) World Cup host: 1966 Last time I visited: I live here!!! |
| Must-try food:
Fish and chips: crispy battered fish served with thick-cut fries, traditionally accompanied by mushy peas, tartar sauce, or malt vinegar. |
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
British Airways |
| Fun facts: |
| England invented the modern game of football.
England is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%. England shares a land border with Scotland to the north and another land border with Wales to the west. |
| 🇫🇷 | France |
|
| Capital city:
Paris |
|
| Biggest city:
Paris |
|
| Population:
68.6 million people |
|
| Land area:
551,695 km2 |
|
| Official language(s):
French |
|
| Predominant religion:
Christianity |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1930 Best result (previously): |
|
| Winners (1998, 2018) | |
| 2026 result:
TBC 18/07/2026 (Semi-finalist) World Cup host: 1938, 1998 Last time I visited: Today! |
|
| Must-try food:
Coq au vin: chicken slowly braised in red wine with mushrooms, onions, and bacon. Check out my post “Where to eat and drink in the 6th arrondissement of Paris“. |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Air France |
|
| Fun fact: | |
France is the world’s most visited country. The top 10 most visited countries globally, according to the World Tourism Rankings, are:
|
|
| 🇩🇪 | Germany |
|
| Capital city:
Berlin |
|
| Biggest city:
Berlin |
|
| Population:
84.7 million people |
|
| Land area:
357,588 km2 |
|
| Official language(s):
German |
|
| Predominant religion:
Christianity |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1934 Best result (previously): |
|
| Winners (1954, 1974, 1990 as West Germany; 2014) | |
| 2026 result:
Round of 32 World Cup host: 1974 (West Germany), 2006 Last time I visited: 2025 |
|
| Must-try food:
Currywurst: sliced sausage topped with a tangy curry ketchup and usually served with fries. |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Lufthansa |
|
| Fun fact: | |
| More than 1,500 varieties of sausage exist. | |
| 🇬🇭 | Ghana |
|
| Capital city:
Accra |
|
| Biggest city:
Accra |
|
| Population:
35 million people |
|
| Land area:
238,535 km2 |
|
| Official language(s):
English |
|
| Predominant religion:
Christianity |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
2006 Best result (previously): |
|
| Quarter-finals (2010) | |
| 2026 result:
Round of 32 World Cup host: No Last time I visited: N/A |
|
| Must-try food:
Jollof rice: a vibrant one-pot rice dish cooked with tomatoes, peppers, onions, and spices. |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Ghana Airlines |
|
| Fun fact: | |
| Ghana was the first African nation to reach a World Cup quarter-final on penalties. | |
| 🇭🇹 | Haiti |
|
| Capital city:
Port-au-Prince |
|
| Biggest city:
Port-au-Prince |
|
| Population:
11.8 million people |
|
| Land area:
27,750 km2 |
|
| Official language(s):
French, Haitian Creole |
|
| Predominant religion:
Christianity |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1974 Best result (previously): |
|
| Group stage (1974) | |
| 2026 result:
Group stage World Cup host: No Last time I visited: N/A |
|
| Must-try food:
Griot: crispy marinated pork served with pikliz, a spicy pickled vegetable relish. |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Sunrise Airways |
|
| Fun fact: | |
| Haiti became the first independent Black republic in the world. | |
| 🇮🇷 | Iran |
|
| Capital city:
Tehran |
|
| Biggest city:
Tehran |
|
| Population:
92 million people |
|
| Land area:
1,648,195 km2 |
|
| Official language(s):
Persian |
|
| Predominant religion:
Islam (Shia) |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1978 Best result (previously): |
|
| Group stage (1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022) | |
| 2026 result:
Group stage World Cup host: No Last time I visited: N/A |
|
| Must-try food:
Chelo kebab: grilled kebabs served with fluffy saffron rice, grilled tomatoes, and butter. |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Iran Air |
|
| Fun fact: | |
| One of the world’s oldest continuous civilisations. | |
| 🇮🇶 | Iraq |
|
| Capital city:
Baghdad |
|
| Biggest city:
Baghdad |
|
| Population:
47 million people |
|
| Land area:
438,317 km2 |
|
| Official language(s):
Arabic, Kurdish |
|
| Predominant religion:
Islam |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1986 Best result (previously): |
|
| Group stage (1986) | |
| 2026 result:
Group stage World Cup host: No Last time I visited: N/A |
|
| Must-try food:
Masgouf: whole freshwater fish seasoned and slow-roasted over an open fire. |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Iraqi Airways |
|
| Fun fact: | |
| Ancient Mesopotamia is often called the cradle of civilisation. | |
| 🇨🇮 | Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire) |
|
| Capital city:
Yamoussoukro |
|
| Biggest city:
Abidjan |
|
| Population:
47 million people |
|
| Land area:
322,463 km2 |
|
| Official language(s):
French |
|
| Predominant religion:
Islam (plurality) |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
2006 Best result (previously): |
|
| Group stage (2006, 2010, 2014) | |
| 2026 result:
Round of 32 World Cup host: No Last time I visited: N/A |
|
| Must-try food:
Attiéké: fermented cassava couscous traditionally served with grilled fish or meat. |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Air Côte d’Ivoire |
|
| Fun fact: | |
| Ivory Coast is the world’s largest cocoa producer. | |
| 🇯🇵 | Japan |
|
| Capital city:
Tokyo |
|
| Biggest city:
Tokyo |
|
| Population:
123 million people |
|
| Land area:
377,975 km2 |
|
| Official language(s):
Japanese |
|
| Predominant religion:
Shinto/Buddhism |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1998 Best result (previously): |
|
| Round of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022) | |
| 2026 result:
Round of 32 World Cup host: 2002 (co-hosted with South Korea) Last time I visited: 2025 – check out my post “First time in Japan: a 3-week itinerary“. |
|
| Must-try food:
Sushi: vinegared rice served with fresh seafood, vegetables, or egg, often accompanied by soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger. Check out my post “13 places to try Japanese cuisine in London“. |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Japan Airlines |
|
| Fun facts: | |
| Japan is the third-largest island country in the world, behind Indonesia and Madagascar. It is also the second-most-populous island country in the world, behind only Indonesia. It has more than 14,000 islands, of which approximately 260 are inhabited. Of those, the 4 main ones are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku.
Honshu is the largest and contains the most populous cities, including Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Hokkaido is the northernmost island and is famous for its heavy snowfall, winter sports, and vast national parks. Its largest city is Sapporo. Kyushu is located in the southwest, and is geographically defined by its volcanic activity, which fuels famous resort towns with natural hot springs (onsen), such as Beppu and Kurokawa. Shikoku is famous for its 88-temple pilgrimage. Okinawa is often cited as the fifth major island. It is the southernmost prefecture of Japan, featuring a subtropical climate, white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a distinct indigenous culture separate from mainland Japan. |
|
| 🇯🇴 | Jordan |
|
| Capital city:
Amman |
|
| Biggest city:
Amman |
|
| Population:
11.7 million people |
|
| Land area:
89,342 km2 |
|
| Official language(s):
Arabic |
|
| Predominant religion:
Islam |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
2026 Best result (previously): |
|
| N/A | |
| 2026 result:
Group stage World Cup host: No Last time I visited: N/A |
|
| Must-try food:
Mansaf: tender lamb cooked in fermented yoghurt sauce and served over rice with flatbread. |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Royal Jordanian |
|
| Fun fact: | |
| Jordan is home to the ancient city of Petra. | |
| 🇲🇽 | Mexico |
|
| Capital city:
Mexico City |
|
| Biggest city:
Mexico City |
|
| Population:
131 million people |
|
| Land area:
1,964,375 km2 |
|
| Official language(s):
Spanish (de facto) |
|
| Predominant religion:
Christianity (Roman Catholic) |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1930 Best result (previously): |
|
| Quarter-finals (1970, 1986) | |
| 2026 result:
Round of 16 World Cup host: 1970, 1986 and 2026 (as co-host) Last time I visited: 2025 |
|
| Must-try food:
Tacos al pastor: corn tortillas filled with spit-roasted marinated pork, pineapple, onions, and coriander. Check out my posts “20+1 places to eat and drink in Mexico City” and “Where to eat and drink in Oaxaca“. |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Aeroméxico |
|
| Fun fact: | |
| Mexico is the first nation to host three men’s World Cups. | |
| 🇲🇦 | Morocco |
|
| Capital city:
Rabat |
|
| Biggest city:
Casablanca |
|
| Population:
38.8 million people |
|
| Land area:
446,550 km2 |
|
| Official language(s):
Arabic, Amazigh |
|
| Predominant religion:
Islam |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1970 Best result (previously): |
|
| Fourth place (2022) | |
| 2026 result:
Quarter-finals World Cup host: Morocco will co-host the majority of the 2030 FIFA World Cup (with Spain and Portugal), with one “celebratory game” each being held in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. Last time I visited: 2001 |
|
| Must-try food:
Tagine: a slow-cooked stew of meat, vegetables, and spices prepared in a distinctive conical clay pot. |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Royal Air Maroc |
|
| Fun fact: | |
| Morocco was the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final. | |
| 🇳🇱 | Netherlands |
|
| Capital city:
Amsterdam |
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| Biggest city:
Amsterdam |
|
| Population:
18.2 million people |
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| Land area:
41,850 km2 |
|
| Official language(s):
Dutch |
|
| Predominant religion:
Christianity, secular |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1934 Best result (previously): |
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| Runners-up (1974, 1978, 2010) | |
| 2026 result:
Round of 32 World Cup host: No Last time I visited: 2018 |
|
| Must-try food:
Stroopwafel: two thin waffles sandwiched together with a rich caramel syrup filling. |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
KLM |
|
| Fun fact: | |
| Nearly one-third of the country lies below sea level. | |
| 🇳🇿 | New Zealand |
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| Capital city:
Wellington |
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| Biggest city:
Auckland |
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| Population:
5.4 million people |
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| Land area:
268,838 km2 |
|
| Official language(s):
English, Māori |
|
| Predominant religion:
Christianity |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1982 Best result (previously): |
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| Group stage (1982, 2010) | |
| 2026 result:
Group stage World Cup host: No Last time I visited: N/A |
|
| Must-try food:
Hāngi: meat and vegetables traditionally cooked underground using heated stones. |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Air New Zealand |
|
| Fun fact: | |
| More sheep than people live there. | |
| 🇳🇴 | Norway |
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| Capital city:
Oslo |
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| Biggest city:
Oslo |
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| Population:
5.6 million people |
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| Land area:
385,207 km2 |
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| Official language(s):
Norwegian |
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| Predominant religion:
Christianity |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1938 Best result (previously): |
|
| Round of 16 (1938, 1998) | |
| 2026 result:
Quarter-finals World Cup host: No Last time I visited: 2023 – check out my posts “17 tips for 5 Norwegian cities” and “Fjords & Jazz: Explore Norway in 9 days“. |
|
| Must-try food:
Fårikål: Norway’s national dish of slow-cooked lamb and cabbage seasoned simply with black pepper. |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Scandinavian Airlines |
|
| Fun facts: | |
| Norway is one of the world’s happiest countries, as well as one of my favourites.
The top 10 happiest countries in the world, according to the latest World Happiness Report, are:
Norwegian footballer Erling Haaland was born in Leeds, England, while his father Alfie Haaland was playing football for Leeds United. He currently plays as a striker for Manchester City, as well as the Norway national team. He is regarded as one of the best players in the world and the greatest Norwegian player of all time. |
|
| 🇵🇦 | Panama |
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| Capital city:
Panama City |
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| Biggest city:
Panama City |
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| Population:
4.6 million people |
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| Land area:
75,417 km2 |
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| Official language(s):
Spanish |
|
| Predominant religion:
Christianity |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
2018 Best result (previously): |
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| Group stage (2018) | |
| 2026 result:
Group stage World Cup host: No Last time I visited: N/A |
|
| Must-try food:
Sancocho: a hearty soup made with meat, root vegetables, plantains, and corn. |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Copa Airlines |
|
| Fun fact: | |
| Panama is home to the famous Panama Canal. | |
| 🇵🇾 | Paraguay |
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| Capital city:
Asunción |
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| Biggest city:
Asunción |
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| Population:
7 million people |
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| Land area:
406,752 km2 |
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| Official language(s):
Spanish, Guaraní |
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| Predominant religion:
Christianity |
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| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1930 Best result (previously): |
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| Quarter-finals (2010) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 result:
Round of 16 World Cup host: Spain, Portugal and Morocco will co-host the majority of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, with one “celebratory game” each being held in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. Last time I visited: N/A |
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| Must-try food:
Sopa paraguaya: a savoury cornbread made with cheese, onions, eggs, and cornmeal despite its name meaning “Paraguayan soup.” |
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| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Paranair |
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| Fun fact: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| “Paraguayan soup” is actually a cornbread.
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| 🇸🇦 | Saudi Arabia |
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| Capital city:
Riyadh |
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| Biggest city:
Riyadh |
|
| Population:
34.8 million people |
|
| Land area:
2,149,690 km2 |
|
| Official language(s):
Arabic |
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| Predominant religion:
Islam |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1994 Best result (previously): |
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| Round of 16 (1994) | |
| 2026 result:
Group stage World Cup host: 2034 Last time I visited: N/A |
|
| Must-try food:
Kabsa: a spiced rice dish with chicken or lamb, flavoured with cardamom, cloves, and other aromatic spices. |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Saudia |
|
| Fun fact: | |
| Saudi Arabia contains the world’s largest sand desert. | |
| 🇬🇧 | Scotland |
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| Capital city:
Edinburgh |
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| Biggest city:
Glasgow |
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| Population:
5.5 million people |
|
| Land area:
77,933 km2 |
|
| Official language(s):
English, Scots, Scottish Gaelic |
|
| Predominant religion:
Christianity |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1954 Best result (previously): |
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| Group stage (8 appearances) | |
| 2026 result:
Group stage World Cup host: No Last time I visited: 2016 |
|
| Must-try food:
Haggis: a savoury pudding made from minced sheep’s offal, oats, onions, and spices. |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Loganair |
|
| Fun fact: | |
| Scotland has more than 790 islands. | |
| 🇸🇳 | Senegal |
|
| Capital city:
Dakar |
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| Biggest city:
Dakar |
|
| Population:
19 million people |
|
| Land area:
196,722 km2 |
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| Official language(s):
French |
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| Predominant religion:
Islam |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
2002 Best result (previously): |
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| Quarter-finals (2002) | |
| 2026 result:
Round of 32 World Cup host: No Last time I visited: N/A |
|
| Must-try food:
Thieboudienne: Senegal’s national dish of fish served with rice and vegetables in a rich tomato sauce. |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Air Sénégal |
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| Fun fact: | |
| The westernmost point of mainland Africa lies here. | |
| 🇿🇦 | South Africa |
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| Capital city:
Pretoria (executive) |
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| Biggest city:
Johannesburg |
|
| Population:
64 million people |
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| Land area:
1,221,037 km2 |
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| Official language(s):
12 official languages |
|
| Predominant religion:
Christianity |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1998 Best result (previously): |
|
| Group stage (1998, 2002, 2010) | |
| 2026 result:
Round of 32 World Cup host: 2010 Last time I visited: 2014 |
|
| Must-try food:
Bobotie: a baked curried minced meat dish topped with a savoury egg custard. |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
South African Airways |
|
| Fun fact: | |
| South Africa has three capital cities: Pretoria (administrative/executive), Cape Town (legislative), and Bloemfontein (judicial).
|
|
| 🇰🇷 | South Korea |
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| Capital city:
Seoul |
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| Biggest city:
Seoul |
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| Population:
51 million people |
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| Land area:
100,210 km2 |
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| Official language(s):
Korean |
|
| Predominant religion:
Christianity/Buddhism |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1954 Best result (previously): |
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| Fourth place (2002) | |
| 2026 result:
Group stage World Cup host: 2002 (co-hosted with Japan) Last time I visited: 2024 – check out my post “A 7-day itinerary in South Korea“. |
|
| Must-try food:
Bibimbap: a colourful bowl of rice topped with vegetables, meat, egg, and spicy gochujang sauce. Check out my post “Where and what to eat and drink in Seoul“. |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Korean Air |
|
| Fun fact: | |
| South Korea has one of the world’s fastest internet networks.
|
|
| 🇪🇸 | Spain |
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| Capital city:
Madrid |
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| Biggest city:
Madrid |
|
| Population:
49 million people |
|
| Land area:
505,990 km2 |
|
| Official language(s):
Spanish |
|
| Predominant religion:
Christianity |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1934 Best result (previously): |
|
| Winners (2010) | |
| 2026 result:
TBC 19/07/2026 (Finalist) World Cup host: 1982 Spain will co-host the majority of the 2030 FIFA World Cup (with Portugal and Morocco), with one “celebratory game” each being held in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. Last time I visited: 2016 |
|
| Must-try food:
Paella: Spain’s famous saffron-infused rice dish cooked with seafood, meat, or vegetables. |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Iberia |
|
| Fun facts: | |
| Spain produces almost half of the world’s olive oil.
In 2024, Spain won the UEFA European Football Championship (Euro) for a record fourth time after defeating England 2–1 in the final. |
|
| 🇸🇪 | Sweden |
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| Capital city:
Stockholm |
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| Biggest city:
Stockholm |
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| Population:
10.7 million people |
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| Land area:
450,295 km2 |
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| Official language(s):
Swedish |
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| Predominant religion:
Christianity |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1934 Best result (previously): |
|
| Runners-up (1958) | |
| 2026 result:
Round of 32 World Cup host: No Last time I visited: 2018 – check out my post “Stockholm Syndrome & 7 tips for Stockholm“. |
|
| Must-try food:
Köttbullar: Swedish meatballs traditionally served with mashed potatoes, gravy, lingonberry jam, and pickled cucumber. Check out my post “Kardemummakaka: Swedish cardamom cake“. |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Scandinavian Airlines |
|
| Fun fact: | |
| Gave the world the Nobel Prize.
Check out my post “Sweden: Behind the myth of the lagom utopia“. |
|
| 🇨🇭 | Switzerland |
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| Capital city:
Bern |
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| Biggest city:
Zürich |
|
| Population:
9 million people |
|
| Land area:
41,285 km2 |
|
| Official language(s):
German, French, Italian, Romansh |
|
| Predominant religion:
Christianity |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1934 Best result (previously): |
|
| Quarter-finals (1934, 1938, 1954) | |
| 2026 result:
Quarter-finals World Cup host: 1954 Last time I visited: 2025 |
|
| Must-try food:
Fondue: melted cheese served communally for dipping bread and other accompaniments. Check out my post “9 Places to Eat and Drink in Lucerne“. |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Swiss International Airlines |
|
| Fun fact: | |
| Switzerland has four national languages: German, French, Italian, Romansh. | |
| 🇹🇳 | Tunisia |
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| Capital city:
Tunis |
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| Biggest city:
Tunis |
|
| Population:
12.5 million people |
|
| Land area:
163,610 km2 |
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| Official language(s):
Arabic |
|
| Predominant religion:
Islam |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1978 Best result (previously): |
|
| Group stage (1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022) | |
| 2026 result:
Group stage World Cup host: No Last time I visited: 1997 |
|
| Must-try food:
Couscous: steamed semolina grains traditionally served with slow-cooked vegetables, meat, and a fragrant broth. |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Tunisair |
|
| Fun fact: | |
| Tunisia is home to the ancient city of Carthage. | |
| 🇹🇷 | Turkey (Türkiye) |
| Capital city:
Ankara |
| Biggest city:
Istanbul |
| Population:
87 million people |
| Land area:
783,562 km2 |
| Official language(s):
Turkish |
| Predominant religion:
Islam |
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1954 Best result (previously): |
| Third place (2002) |
| 2026 result:
Group stage World Cup host: No Last time I visited: 2008 |
| Must-try food:
İskender kebab: thinly sliced lamb served over bread with tomato sauce, melted butter, and yoghurt. |
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Turkish Airlines |
| Fun fact: |
| Turkey spans two continents. |
| 🇺🇸 | United States of America |
|
| Capital city:
Washington D.C. |
|
| Biggest city:
New York City |
|
| Population:
342 million people |
|
| Land area:
9,833,520 km2 |
|
| Official language(s):
No federal official language (English de facto) |
|
| Predominant religion:
Christianity |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1930 Best result (previously): |
|
| Third place (1930) | |
| 2026 result:
Round of 16 World Cup host: 1994 and 2026 (as co-host) Last time I visited: 2019 – check out my post “Music, film & wine: 12 days in California“. |
|
| Must-try food:
Hamburger |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
American Airlines |
|
| Fun fact: | |
| The USA has more national parks than any other country. | |
| 🇺🇾 | Uruguay |
| Capital city:
Montevideo |
| Biggest city:
Montevideo |
| Population:
3.4 million people |
| Land area:
176,215 km2 |
| Official language(s):
Spanish |
| Predominant religion:
Christianity, secular |
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
1930 Best result (previously): |
| Winners (1930, 1950) |
| 2026 result:
Group stage World Cup host: 1930 (the inaugural World Cup) Last time I visited: No |
| Must-try food:
Chivito: a hearty Uruguayan steak sandwich loaded with ham, cheese, bacon, egg, lettuce, and tomato. |
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
LATAM Uruguay |
| Fun fact: |
| The inaugural World Cup champions (1930). |
| 🇺🇿 | Uzbekistan |
|
| Capital city:
Tashkent |
|
| Biggest city:
Tashkent |
|
| Population:
37.7 million people |
|
| Land area:
448,978 km2 |
|
| Official language(s):
Uzbek |
|
| Predominant religion:
Islam |
|
| FIFA World Cup participation since:
2026 Best result (previously): |
|
| N/A | |
| 2026 result:
Group stage World Cup host: No Last time I visited: No |
|
| Must-try food:
Palov: Uzbekistan’s signature rice pilaf cooked with meat, carrots, onions, and fragrant spices. |
|
| Official/Flag carrier airline:
Uzbekistan Airways |
|
| Fun fact: | |
| Uzbekistan is home to some of the Silk Road’s most beautiful cities.
To read more about Uzbekistan and the other former Soviet republics, check out my post “Farewell to Russia: A Journey Through the Former USSR”. |
|
| 🇬🇷 | Greece and the World Cup
Although Greece, my home country, did not qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it has participated three times in the past (1994, 2010, 2014). Here are a few related facts and trivia:
FIFA World Cup participation since:
1994 (eliminated in the group stage)
In 2010, they were also eliminated in the group stage.
Best result:
Round of 16 (2014)
Fun fact:
Greece produced one of the greatest upsets in football history by winning UEFA Euro 2004, defeating hosts Portugal 1–0 in the final. Remarkably, they also beat Portugal in the tournament’s opening match, becoming the first team to defeat the host nation in both the opening game and the final of the same European Championship.
Alex
(the Traveling Psychiatrist)