The Underdogs Who Could Shock the 2026 World Cup
Remember Morocco in Qatar? They weren't supposed to make the semifinals, but they did, knocking out Spain and Portugal along the way. That's the beauty of the World Cup: a well-drilled side with a bit of magic can upend the established order. With the tournament expanding to 48 teams in 2026, there are even more opportunities for dark horses to emerge. Here are a few teams I'm keeping a close eye on, because they could absolutely spoil someone's party.
**Beyond the Usual Suspects: The Contenders**
Let's start with **Morocco** again. Seriously. Their 2022 run wasn't a fluke. They've still got a core of top-tier talent. Achraf Hakimi, the PSG right-back, is still just 25 and one of the best in the world at his position. Sofyan Amrabat, now at Manchester United, remains a relentless force in midfield, covering more ground than a one-man construction crew. Their qualification for 2026 has been smooth sailing, currently sitting atop their CAF group with two wins from two matches, including a 2-0 victory over Tanzania in November 2023. Manager Walid Regragui has built a resilient, tactically astute team that knows how to frustrate opponents and hit on the counter. They proved they could do it on the biggest stage, and with more experience, they'll be even more dangerous.
Then there's **Japan**. The Samurai Blue have consistently shown they can punch above their weight. In 2022, they beat both Germany and Spain in the group stage, topping a ridiculously tough group. Daizen Maeda, the Celtic forward, brings relentless energy, while Takefusa Kubo, tearing it up for Real Sociedad in La Liga, provides the creative spark. Their recent form is stellar; they trounced Syria 5-0 in June 2024 during World Cup qualifiers and have been on a scoring spree. They are currently first in their AFC qualification group, with four wins from four, scoring 14 goals and conceding none. They play with pace, precision, and an unshakeable belief. My hot take? Japan is more likely to make a deep run than some of the traditional European powers.
Moving to North America, **Canada** is a fascinating prospect. Co-hosting automatically qualifies them, giving them plenty of time to gel. Alphonso Davies of Bayern Munich is a genuine superstar, a major factor who can single-handedly turn a match. Jonathan David, the prolific striker for Lille, consistently finds the back of the net in Ligue 1. They reached the World Cup in 2022 after a 36-year absence, finishing first in CONCACAF qualifying ahead of Mexico and the USA, which shows they can compete. Jesse Marsch has recently taken over as manager, and his high-pressing, intense style could be a perfect fit for their athletic squad. If they can find a consistent defensive shape, they'll be a handful on home soil.
**The Wildcards to Watch**
Don't sleep on **South Korea**. They’ve made it out of the group stage three times, including a semifinal appearance in 2002. Son Heung-min, the Tottenham captain, is still their talisman, and he’s still got the speed and finishing ability to trouble any defense. Hwang Hee-chan, at Wolves, provides another potent attacking threat. They’re cruising through their AFC qualifiers, with four wins from four matches, including a dominant 3-0 win over China in June 2024. They have a new interim coach, Kim Do-hoon, who will aim to build on their recent 7-0 thrashing of Singapore. The Taeguk Warriors are always organized, incredibly fit, and their fans create an electric atmosphere wherever they play.
And finally, **Nigeria**. African teams historically struggle for consistency, but Nigeria has the raw talent to change that narrative. Victor Osimhen, Napoli's Serie A-winning striker, is a force of nature, scoring goals for fun. Ademola Lookman, who just bagged a hat-trick in the Europa League final for Atalanta, is another dynamic attacker. They've been a bit shaky in their 2026 qualifiers, with three draws in four matches, including a surprising 1-1 home draw against Lesotho in November 2023. They absolutely need to sort out their qualifying form, but if they get their act together and harness their attacking firepower, they could be the breakout African team this time around.
My bold prediction: At least two of these teams will make it to the quarterfinals in 2026.