Here are nine underdog teams to root for in the World Cup

The World Cup serves as a celebration of more than just soccer, but also of community and culture. But who do you root for if your home country didn’t qualify for the world’s biggest sporting tournament?

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Supporting soccer superpowers, such as France or Spain, is one thing. But what if you’re looking for an underdog?

Here are nine under-the-radar teams to cheer on if you’re looking to support a team with a good story.

[ Take our quiz to find a World Cup team to root for ]

Curacao became the smallest nation in terms of population (158,000) and area (171.4 square miles) to ever qualify for the World Cup.

It also became the first nonsovereign national team from the Americas to make the World Cup.

The United States, Canada, and Mexico qualified automatically by hosting the tournament, making their path significantly easier. With a draw against Jamaica, the Blue Wave (3-3-0) escaped with one of three automatic qualifying places from North America.

Dick Advocaat, 78, who began coaching in 1987 and has led many high-profile sides, took over the reins again in May and will have his hands full.

Cape Verde held the record for the smallest country by population (525,000) and area (1,557 square miles) to qualify for the World Cup for just five weeks, until Curaçao smashed both marks.

Gaining independence from Portugal in 1975, Cape Verde played its first international match three years later. Since then, the Blue Sharks have qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations four times, reaching the quarterfinals in 2013 and 2023.

In the CAF qualifiers, Cape Verde won its group with a 7-2-1 record, surrendering only eight goals. It is the lone African country debuting in the World Cup.

Massachusetts has the largest population of Cape Verdeans in the United States, with more than 65,000.

Fifty-two years in the making, Les Grenadiers are back in the World Cup.

After a trio of losses in 1974, Haiti makes its return to the sport’s biggest stage. It will become the only Caribbean nation to make more than one World Cup appearance.

Haiti won its third-round group, going 3-2-1, to seal its bid. Duckens Nazon, the nation’s all-time leading scorer, netted six goals in the qualifiers.

Because of ongoing gang violence and political instability in the country, Les Grenadiers could not play their home matches in their nation. Instead, they “hosted” at Stadion Ergilio Hato in Willemstad, Curaçao.

With the third largest population of Haitians in the United States, Massachusetts will have a heavy rooting interest in Les Grenadiers’ opening match in Foxborough.

Ranked No. 14 by FIFA, the Lions of Teranga are a popular underdog pick to make a serious run.

They boast depth and talent all across the field.

Senegal was embroiled in an imbroglio at the recent Africa Cup of Nations final. A disallowed goal and VAR review resulted in Senegal walking off the pitch for 17 minutes in protest, but Éduardo Mendy stopped Morocco’s Brahim Diaz from the spot to send the match to extra time. Pape Gueye scored in extra time and Senegal won, 1-0. Morocco, the tournament’s host, appealed, and CAF ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match by walking off the pitch and awarded the Atlas Lions a 3-0 victory.

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Senegal has since appealed the decision.

Another of the debutants, Al-Nashama finally broke through with their most successful period in history.

The revitalization has come under of the watch of Hussein Ammouta and Jamal Sellami. Ammouta, manager from June 2023 to June 2024, led the team to its highest ranking in a decade before stepping down. Sellami’s success resulted in King Abdullah granting him citizenship.

Jordan won its second-round pool at the FIFA qualifiers of the Asian Football Confederation. In the third round, the Jordanians posted a 4-4-2 mark to secure their first-ever World Cup qualification.

Their only tournament wins came in the Arab Games, in 1997 and 1999.

Uzbekistan reached the World Cup for the first time after unprecedented success in the qualifying rounds.

Uzbekistan is the first Central Asian country to qualify and is just the third post-Soviet state to do so (behind Russia and Ukraine).

The White Wolves finished with the same record as Iran in the second round of Asian qualifying, but came in second on goal differential. They finished second to Iran once again in the third round, but their 6-3-1 mark was 6 points clear for qualification.

Abdukodir Khusanov is far and away Uzbekistan’s best player. The 22-year-old Manchester City center back is the first and only Uzbek to play in the English Premier League.

This will mark the Pharaohs’ fourth World Cup appearance, in search of their first match victory, A one-game, knockout loss in 1934 led to a 56-year wait before a 0-2-1 mark in 1990. A 28-year drought culminated in a disappointing trio of group-stage defeats.

A prestigious history precedes them, as the first African team to appear in the World Cup and the winningest country at the Africa Cup of Nations, with seven titles.

Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah is at the end of his career but can still produce some magic. The Pharaohs will rely on Salah and Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush.

Welcome back, Norway.

After missing 12 consecutive major tournaments, the Norwegians raced through qualifying, going a perfect 8-0-0 with a plus-32 goal differential. Scoring machine Erling Haaland pumped in 16 goals through those matches.

After a 28-year World Cup absence, Norway could cause havoc with Haaland leading the line. It plays in Foxborough twice.

Speaking of teams in need of reintroduction to World Cup play, the Tartan Army makes its return, one 28 years in the making.

The Bank of Scotland released limited edition £20 notes featuring Scott McTominay’s iconic overhead kick to commemorate a return to the world stage.

Scotland’s proud fan base will surely travel well on a journey that kicks off in Foxborough against Haiti.

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