Discover a Fascinating Fact About Each of the 64 Teams in the World Cup Draw The Athletic
The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, the largest edition to date, will feature 48 teams competing across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Scheduled for June, the tournament will see 42 teams already qualified, with six spots still to be determined through European and inter-confederation play-offs in March. Here are intriguing facts about each of the 64 teams involved in the draw.
World Cup Draw Insights
Albania
Albania holds the record for the lowest total goals scored by a European team qualifying for the World Cup draw, with 18 goals from their top scorer Erjon Bogdani.
Algeria
Algeria made its World Cup debut in 1982. Unfortunately, they faced elimination due to a controversial match that led to the ‘Disgrace of Gijon,’ ensuring simultaneous final group matches in the future.
Argentina
Gabriel Batistuta is the only player to score hat-tricks in two World Cups, achieving this feat in 1994 and 1998 against World Cup newcomers Greece and Jamaica.
Australia
Australia has the lowest population density of any competing nation, with only Mongolia lower, which has yet to qualify for the tournament.
Austria
Austria has played the most World Cup matches without experiencing a goalless draw.
Belgium
Jean De Bie, born in 1892, was the oldest player to be selected for a World Cup squad, participating in the inaugural event in 1930 at age 38.
Bolivia
Bolivia has participated in three World Cups, including the first one in 1930, the only team from that event with fewer than five appearances overall.
Brazil
Brazil is the only nation to have attended every World Cup since the tournament’s inception.
Canada
Canada will host 13 matches, with seven taking place at BC Place in Vancouver, marking the furthest west any World Cup games have been played.
Colombia
Colombia was scheduled to host the 1986 World Cup but withdrew for economic reasons, allowing Mexico to take over.
Morocco
Morocco made history as the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals, achieving this milestone in 2022.
Germany
Miroslav Klose holds the record for the most goals at the World Cup, with a total of 16 scored throughout four tournaments.
Ukraine
Ukraine was the first former Soviet republic to compete in the World Cup, debuting in 2006.
United States
The first hat-trick in World Cup history was scored by the United States’ Bert Patenaude in 1930 against Paraguay.
Noteworthy Records
- Tunisia: First African team to win a World Cup match (3-1 vs. Mexico in 1978).
- England: Used 472 players since winning the World Cup in 1966, with a best finish of fourth in 2018.
- Iran: Scored the latest goal in regular World Cup time in 2022, with Mehdi Taremi’s goal in the 103rd minute.
Teams with Unique Trivia
- Croatia: Finished in the top three at the World Cup in half of their six appearances.
- Haiti: Conceded 14 goals during their only World Cup participation in 1974.
- Scotland: Played the most World Cups without advancing past the group stage, being eliminated in all eight attempts.
The 2026 World Cup promises to be an exciting and historic event, showcasing teams from around the globe while continuing to intrigue football fans with unique facts and storied histories.
