Which National Teams Could Surprise at the 2026 World Cup?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, now expanded to 48 participating nations, is poised to be a tournament ripe with upsets, building on recent history where underdogs like Croatia reached the 2018 final and Morocco made a historic semi-final run in 2022.

The increased number of matches and the potential for player fatigue present even greater opportunities for surprise performances. While Croatia and Morocco are now recognized powerhouses, several other nations are being eyed as potential dark horses. These include Norway, Japan, Colombia, Switzerland, and Morocco, all aiming to exceed expectations and reach at least the quarter-finals.

Norway, featuring stars like Erling Haaland, Martin Ødegaard, and Alexander Sørloth, is making its first World Cup appearance since 1998 and has strong odds to advance from its group and potentially reach the quarter-finals. Japan, with a squad that includes Suzuki, Doan, Ueda, and Maeda, has shown its capability by defeating Germany and Spain in 2022 and is expected to perform well again, with favorable odds to reach the knockout stages.

Colombia, despite missing the 2022 tournament, boasts a talented roster with players like Luis Díaz, Davinson Sánchez, and James Rodríguez, aiming to replicate their 2014 quarter-final success. Switzerland, often underestimated, possesses a solid team with players like Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo, and has the potential to surprise and advance beyond the round of 16, a feat they have struggled to achieve in recent tournaments.