Welcome to my World Cup 2026 travel guide — a new one every match day, with aviation facts about each country on the pitch. Day 5 brings eight countries, and after yesterday’s Curaçao, we’ve got ANOTHER tiny island nation making history — plus a flag carrier that just came back to the US, and one of the most unusual aviation stories in the whole tournament.
Eight countries today, and the island-nation theme just keeps going — Cabo Verde follows Curaçao into the record books. Let’s get into it.
🇨🇻 Cabo Verde
One day after Curaçao made history, Cabo Verde does too — a volcanic archipelago of about 525,000 people, 350 miles off the West African coast, reaching its first-ever World Cup. It’s now among the smallest nations ever to make it — I’ve written before about the world’s smallest countries and how to visit them. And like Curaçao, the remarkable thing is how its diaspora ties shape its air map.
Cabo Verde Airlines (the old TACV, founded 1958) is the flag carrier, based at Sal and Praia. And here’s the timely fact: it relaunched nonstop service to the US — Praia to Providence, Rhode Island — on May 4, 2026. Why Providence? Because Rhode Island has one of the largest Cabo Verdean communities in the United States. Just like Haiti and Boston on Day 3, the route map follows the diaspora. Otherwise, the main link to the islands is via Lisbon, a legacy of the Portuguese connection. Personal note: I’ve actually touched down in Cabo Verde myself — years ago on a South African Airways 747 from Johannesburg to JFK that stopped at Sal to refuel. A tiny dot in the Atlantic that a lot of long-haul flights quietly relied on.
🇪🇸 Spain
Iberia — a oneworld member, hubbed at Madrid-Barajas (MAD), and part of the same parent group (IAG) as British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Vueling. Madrid is the great bridge between Europe and Latin America, and Iberia has built its long-haul network around exactly that.
Iberia flies to Madrid from a strong list of US cities, with American adding Oneworld frequency and Delta, United, and Air Europa also serving Spain. If you’re routing onward to South America, Madrid is one of the best-connected gateways on the planet for it — often easier than going through the Americas. I’ve spent good time in Spain over the years — it’s one of those countries that rewards going back. A few favorites I’ve written up: San Sebastián and Bilbao in the north.
🇧🇪 Belgium
Brussels Airlines — part of the Lufthansa Group and a Star Alliance member, flying from Brussels (BRU). It rose from the ashes of Sabena, Belgium’s old flag carrier that famously collapsed in 2001 (the same year as Swissair, from Day 3 — a brutal year for European legacy carriers).
Brussels Airlines flies to a few US cities nonstop, with United adding Star Alliance frequency, and the Lufthansa Group’s hubs (Frankfurt, Munich) provide easy one-stop access. Brussels is also a major hub for African routes — Brussels Airlines has a deep network into Central and West Africa thanks to historical ties. I’ve spent time in Belgium myself — an easy, rewarding stop whether you’re there for the cities or just connecting through.
🇪🇬 Egypt
EgyptAir — one of the oldest airlines in the world, founded in 1932 (the seventh airline ever to join the international airline community), and a Star Alliance member based in Cairo (CAI). For decades it’s been a key carrier linking Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
EgyptAir flies nonstop from New York JFK and Washington Dulles to Cairo, with United and Star Alliance partners offering one-stop options over European hubs. Cairo is also a natural gateway if you’re combining the World Cup with a trip to see the pyramids — and I can tell you from standing in front of them, no photo prepares you for the scale. Still one of the great bucket-list arrivals.
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines), a SkyTeam member and one of the Middle East’s largest carriers, with hubs in Jeddah (JED) and Riyadh (RUH). And it’s about to have company — Saudi Arabia is launching a brand-new flag carrier, Riyadh Air, designed to turn Riyadh into a global hub and rival the big Gulf airlines.
Saudia flies nonstop from New York, Washington, and Los Angeles to Jeddah and Riyadh. I’ve been to Riyadh and flown Saudia myself, so I’ve watched this market up close. With Saudi Arabia set to host the 2034 World Cup, expect its footprint — and its US connectivity — to grow fast. I wrote more about the new carrier here: Riyadh Air nonrev travel is coming — and if you’re headed to the city itself, my first-timer’s guide to Riyadh.
🇺🇾 Uruguay
Uruguay has no flag carrier — the old PLUNA collapsed in 2012, and the country has relied on foreign and regional carriers ever since. Montevideo (MVD) is the main gateway, served by foreign and regional carriers, but no Uruguayan national airline has filled the gap PLUNA left behind.
No nonstops from North America to Montevideo — the typical routings are over Panama City (Copa), São Paulo, Buenos Aires, or Santiago. American has flown Miami–Montevideo seasonally in the past, but for most fans, a connection through a South American hub is the play. I’ve been to Uruguay — Colonia del Sacramento, the UNESCO-listed old town across the river from Buenos Aires, is well worth the ferry hop if you make it down.
🇮🇷 Iran
Iran Air — the flag carrier, based in Tehran (IKA), and the subject of one of the most unusual aviation situations in the world. Due to long-standing international sanctions, Iran’s airlines have struggled for decades to buy new Western aircraft or parts, leaving Iran Air operating one of the older and more unusual fleets among major national carriers.
There are no direct flights between the US and Iran, and haven’t been since 1980. Fans and travelers route through hubs like Istanbul, Doha, or Dubai, with Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, and others providing the one-stop links into Tehran. It’s one of the more complex journeys of any team in the tournament.
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Air New Zealand — a Star Alliance member, consistently rated among the best airlines in the world, and famous for its creative safety videos. Based in Auckland (AKL), it’s the lifeline connecting one of the most geographically isolated developed nations on Earth to the rest of the world.
Air New Zealand flies some of the longest routes anywhere — Auckland to New York (around 16 hours) is one of the longest passenger flights in the world, alongside nonstops to Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and Vancouver. Getting to North America from New Zealand is a genuine feat of long-haul aviation — Kiwi fans crossed nearly the whole planet to be here. I’ve made it down to New Zealand myself — into both Wellington, whose approach between the hills and the harbour is one of the prettiest landings I’ve had, and Auckland. About as far from home as you can get, which is exactly what makes it special.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the national airline of Cabo Verde?
Cabo Verde Airlines, formerly TACV, was founded in 1958. It’s based at Sal and Praia and relaunched nonstop US service from Praia to Providence, Rhode Island, in May 2026.
Why does Cabo Verde fly to Providence, Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has one of the largest Cabo Verdean communities in the United States. Cabo Verde Airlines’ Praia–Providence route primarily connects that diaspora with the islands.
What is the national airline of Spain?
Iberia, a oneworld member hubbed at Madrid-Barajas. It’s part of IAG, the same group as British Airways, and one of the best-connected carriers between Europe and Latin America.
What happened to Belgium’s old airline Sabena?
Sabena collapsed in 2001, the same year as Swissair. Brussels Airlines, now part of the Lufthansa Group, emerged as Belgium’s main carrier in its place.
How old is EgyptAir?
EgyptAir was founded in 1932, making it one of the oldest airlines in the world. It’s a Star Alliance member based in Cairo, flying nonstop to New York and Washington from the US.
What is Riyadh Air?
Riyadh Air is Saudi Arabia’s new flag carrier, designed to turn Riyadh into a global hub. It joins the existing carrier Saudia as the kingdom builds toward hosting the 2034 World Cup.
Does Uruguay have a national airline?
No. PLUNA, the former flag carrier, collapsed in 2012. Uruguay now relies on foreign and regional carriers, with Montevideo served via hubs like Panama City, São Paulo, and Buenos Aires.
Can you fly directly from the US to Iran?
No — there have been no direct flights between the US and Iran since 1980. Travelers connect through hubs such as Istanbul, Doha, or Dubai on carriers like Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways.
What is the national airline of New Zealand?
Air New Zealand, a Star Alliance member based in Auckland and consistently rated among the world’s best airlines. It flies some of the longest routes in the world, including Auckland–New York.
What is the longest flight from New Zealand?
Auckland to New York, at roughly 16 hours, is one of the longest passenger flights in the world. Air New Zealand also flies nonstop to Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and Vancouver. (Auckland–New York shows up on my list of the world’s five longest flights by distance.)
Tomorrow’s matchday
The World Cup 2026 travel guide continues tomorrow with Day 6 — France, Argentina, Norway, Senegal, Algeria, and more take the pitch. Same format, more countries, more aviation facts. See you then.
Map routes with the Airline Network Explorer, check standby seat availability at FlightLoads, find rest options and lounge access with the Airport Sleep Finder, and go deeper with my Non-Rev Playbooks — all built by people who fly for a living.