Mayra Madrigal
In the World Cups we have been able to enjoy great matches between the great powers and teams that, thanks to luck or a good process, have managed to qualify. Debutant teams have existed since the first edition of the World Cups in Uruguay 1930. On that occasion, 13 teams were invited to the World Cup. Since then, every four years we have been waiting to see which will be the new teams looking to compete among the best.
From South Africa 2010 to Russia 2018, five debutant teams have appeared, and here at JefeBet we remind you which ones they were and how was their debut in their World Cup.
World Cup Debutant Teams
Slovakia Selection
Slovakia was one of the two debutants at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, in Group F with Paraguay, New Zealand and Italy. They had a great performance despite their inexperience in playing this type of tournaments, but managed to be the second best team in their sector, behind Paraguay, with four points, after a win, a draw and a loss in their three matches. Their victory was against Italy, who came into that edition as the reigning world champions, by a score of 3-2. They were eliminated in the round of 16 after losing 2-1 to the Netherlands.
Serbia Selection
Serbia participated for the first time in a World Cup in the 2010 edition. They shared Group D with Germany, Ghana and Australia, but finished in last place, being the team with the highest number of defeats in the group (2), losing to Ghana by 1-0 and to Australia by 2-1. However, it grabbed the world’s attention when it obtained its first victory over Germany by a score of 0-1.
Bosnia and Herzegovina Selection
Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Edin Dzeko as the star player, appeared for the first time at a World Cup in Brazil 2014. It was part of Group F with Argentina, Nigeria and Iran, where it finished in third place with three points. They opened with a 2-1 loss to Argentina, lost again to Nigeria 1-0, but closed with a 3-1 win over Irán.
Iceland Selection
At Russia 2018, Iceland was one of two teams appearing for the first time at the World Cup. They were drawn in Group D with Croatia, Argentina and Nigeria, and despite the fact that they had physically imposing players, they failed to win any of their three matches, only recording one draw and two defeats. Precisely, the draw was in the opening match against Argentina, by a score of 1-1.
Panamá Selection
Panamá played its first World Cup in the Russia 2018 edition, being along with Iceland the only two debutants. The team with one of the Concacaf berths made it to Group G with Belgium, England and Tunisia. It was not a good start, as the Panamanian team lost all three games and finished in last place in the group, as well as being the team with the most goals against with a total of 11.
Qatar Selection
The 22nd edition of the World Cup will take place from November 21 to December 18, 2022, and this time there will only be one debutant team, which will be precisely the Qatar Selection. It got its direct ticket to this World Cup as it is the host country. They will share Group A with Ecuador, Senegal and the Netherlands, and will play their first World Cup match against Ecuador on the first day of action.
