Pick your ultimate World Cup second squad for 2026

A guide to selecting a backup World Cup team if your nation exits early in 2026.

Choose by favorite uniforms One simple method for picking your alternate World Cup squad is selecting the team whose jerseys appeal to you most. This strategy helped one writer pick Jamaica for the 1998 tournament. With 48 teams in 2026, each having home and away kits, the choices are nearly endless. To simplify the process, we’ve highlighted a few standout designs. Mexico’s home strip for 2026 honors their iconic 1998 look with Aztec-inspired patterns, including the Piedra del Sol sculpture imprint. ## Pick by bold away designs France’s away kit stands out with a fresh mint green base paired with copper accents and detailing. The color scheme ties into the Statue of Liberty’s surface, gifted by France to America in 1886. Meanwhile, the 2026 debutants bring vibrant creations inspired by local scenery. Their Caribbean away kit features lively hues reflecting the island’s colorful buildings. ## Back the tournament underdogs Fans often rally behind the most improbable teams, so why not let the biggest underdogs become your second team? The best place to start is with the four nations making their World Cup debut in 2026. Curacao, a tiny Caribbean island 37 miles off Venezuela’s coast, will become the smallest nation ever at the tournament. With just over 150,000 residents—comparable to Huddersfield’s population—and spanning just 171 square miles, they’re smaller than the Isle of Man. ## More debutants with giant-killing potential Cape Verde joins Curacao as the third-smallest country to qualify for the World Cup. This Atlantic archipelago of 10 islands has fewer than 525,000 people and won independence from Portugal in 1975. Their first World Cup attempt came in 2002, and now they return to face Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay in Group H. Asia also brings two debutants: Uzbekistan and Jordan. ## Uzbekistan aim to shock in Group H Uzbekistan, semifinalists at the 2011 Asian Cup, ended a long wait for World Cup qualification under guidance from 2006-winning Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro. They’ll try to make an impact in a tough Group H alongside Portugal, Colombia, and DR Congo. Jordan, ranked 64th globally, reached the 2023 Asian Cup final before losing to hosts Qatar. Argentina, Algeria, and Austria await them in Group J. ## Follow teams playing in the dead of night Late-night viewing could be the perfect reason to adopt a new favorite team. Algeria’s three group-stage matches in 2026 kick off at 02:00, 03:00, and 04:00, making them a challenge for even the most dedicated fans. For an even more daunting schedule, Tunisia offers a 05:00 start time, with their earliest match beginning at midnight. ## Let your club’s stars guide your pick Over 100 Premier League players will appear at the 2026 World Cup across North American venues. Manchester City leads the club representation with 15 players selected. Portugal follows with three City stars—Ruben Dias, Matheus Nunes, and Bernardo Silva, though the latter will leave the club before the tournament. City supporters may also track Uzbekistan’s Abdukodir Khusanov as his nation makes its World Cup bow. ## Arsenal’s Spain trio ready for action Premier League champions Arsenal will have 14 players at the 2026 World Cup, including three in Spain’s squad: David Raya, Martín Zubimendi, and Mikel Merino. Crystal Palace also sends a strong 10-player delegation, with two—Jean-Philippe Mateta and Maxence Lacroix—on France’s roster. Nottingham Forest fans can monitor New Zealand’s progress through Chris Wood and Tyler Bindon.