World Cup 2026 Dark Horses

Potential World Cup 2026 Surprise Packages

There is always room for teams to be added to the list of most memorable underdog showings and the World Cup in USA, Mexico and Canada is the perfect stage, especially with even more teams added to the list of competitors.

Here are the teams we think you should keep an eye on throughout World Cup 2026 and the star players that could make their mark:

Ecuador

Ecuador enjoyed an impressive qualification campaign that suggests they could do well at World Cup 2026. They are currently on a 19-game unbeaten run and their formidable defence gives them the foundation to cause upsets.

They qualified from a tough South American route and came ahead of Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay, with only Argentina ahead of them in qualifying. While they didn't score many goals, it was their defensive record that stood out. They conceded just five goals in 18 matches and kept 13 clean sheets.

Moises Caicedo is their star man in midfield but Piero Hincapié (Arsenal), William Pacho (PSG), Pervis Estupiñán (AC Milan), and Joel Ordóñez (Club Brugge) can all be key players in the back line. Goalscoring responsibilities will fall on veteran striker Enner Valencia (Pachuca).

Algeria

Algeria head into World Cup 2026 in fine form after a host of eye-catching warm-up results. They won eight of their ten qualifying matches and will be keen to make up for lost time after missing the previous two tournaments.

They face a tough group that is headed by holders Argentina but will hope to upset Austria and beat Jordan to progress to the knockout stages. A high-scoring win over Bolivia and a victory against the Netherlands are notable warm-up successes that could point to Algeria being a surprise package in 2026.

Riyad Mahrez is still his team's main man and they will be hoping for more magic from the former Man City winger. Look out for goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of former France legend Zinadine, and the midfield potential of Ibrahim Maza (Bayer Leverkusen) next to the experience of Nabil Bentaleb (Lille). Rayan Ait-Nouri (Manchester City) offers plenty in attack down the left as does Mohamed Amine Amoura (Wolfsburg) and Marseille striker Amine Gouiri.

Japan

Japan are no strangers to causing upsets at the World Cup, as wins over Germany and Spain proved in 2022. They qualified with ease and have since secured friendly victories against Brazil and England in the lead up to this tournament.

They face off against the Netherlands in their group opener before facing Sweden and Tunisia. The loss of star winger Kaoru Mitoma does hinder their chances but they still have players and a team unit that can see them progress.

Feyenoord’s Ayase Ueda will be their focal point in attack after winning the Eredivisie golden boot award in 2025-26. The experience of Takehiro Tomiyasu and Wataru Endo will be important, as will the work of Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada. Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad) will carry the main creative role from the right.

Previous World Cup Dark Horses

Here are some of the past performances that stand out when it comes to World Cup underdogs causing a stir. Some embraced their home World Cup, others had a few breakout stars in their ranks.

1. South Korea (World Cup 2002)

They weren't expected to get anywhere near the semifinals. Before 2002, no Asian team had ever reached a World Cup semi-final. Under Guus Hiddink, they beat Portugal in the group stage, then eliminated Italy and Spain in the knockout rounds before losing to Germany in the semis. They became the first Asian nation to reach the final four.

The run remains controversial because of refereeing decisions, but regardless of the debates, reaching the semifinals was a massive overachievement.

2. Croatia (World Cup 1998)

This is a fascinating one. Croatia were only appearing at their first World Cup as an independent nation. They finished third, beat Germany 3–0 in the quarter-finals, and pushed eventual champions France hard in the semi-final.

In hindsight, the squad was loaded with talent—especially Davor Šuker—so some historians call them a "fake underdog." But before the tournament, almost nobody expected a debutant nation to finish third.

3. Morocco (World Cup 2022)

The modern equivalent of South Korea 2002. Morocco became the first African and first Arab nation ever to reach a World Cup semi-final, beating Belgium, Spain, and Portugal along the way.

Given the strength of the opposition, this is arguably the greatest non-European, non-South American World Cup run ever.

4. Cameroon (World Cup 1990)

The original giant-killer. Cameroon shocked defending champions Argentina in the opening match and became the first African side to reach the quarter-finals. They were minutes away from a semi-final before losing to England after extra time.

The image of Roger Milla dancing at the corner flag is one of the iconic moments in World Cup history.

5. Bulgaria (World Cup 1994)

Probably the most forgotten great underdog run. Bulgaria beat Argentina in the group stage and then eliminated reigning champions Germany in the quarter-finals before reaching the semi-finals.

Led by Hristo Stoichkov, they went from outsiders to one match from the final.