The Best Dark Horse Jerseys of the 2026 World Cup — and Why You Need One

Why Dark Horse Jerseys Are Worth Buying

There's a formula to World Cup jersey buying. The obvious choice is always Argentina, Brazil, or France — the teams everyone expects to win. But the most memorable jerseys at any World Cup are rarely the favourites. They belong to the teams that surprised everyone.

The 2026 World Cup — the first to feature 48 nations and a Round of 32 — has created more room for dark horses than ever before. And this tournament has delivered. Paraguay eliminated Germany on penalties. Morocco knocked out Netherlands. Norway are in the Round of 16. Cape Verde held Spain to a 0-0 draw.

Here are the dark horse jerseys that have defined the 2026 World Cup — ranked by the size of their story.

#1 — 🇵🇾 Paraguay: The Biggest Jersey Story of the Tournament

Nobody is talking about Paraguay's jersey more than anyone else's right now.

Paraguay eliminated Germany on penalties in the Round of 32, with goalkeeper Orlando Gill saving multiple spot kicks in the shootout. The German team that opened the tournament with a 7-1 win was eliminated by a side that had scraped through as one of the best third-placed teams, having lost to the USA 4-1 in the opening game and drawn with Australia.

Paraguay's red and white striped jersey — elegant, simple, classic — is now the jersey of the team that ended Germany's 2026 redemption story. For fans who want to own the kit of the tournament's biggest upset, this is the one.

The Round of 16 draws Paraguay against France in Philadelphia on July 4. Nobody gives them a chance. But then again, nobody gave them a chance against Germany either.

Shop the Paraguay 2026 World Cup Jersey →

#2 — 🇲🇦 Morocco: The Atlas Lions Keep Writing History

Morocco are not really a dark horse anymore. They reached the semi-finals in 2022. They drew with Brazil in the group stage this year. They eliminated Netherlands on penalties in the Round of 32.

But the rest of the world still hasn't fully caught up with just how good Morocco are — and that makes their jersey one of the most compelling buys at this tournament.

Morocco qualified in second place in Group C and will face Netherlands, who defeated Tunisia in the final matchweek to win Group F. Three Dutch-born players — Sofyan Amrabat, Anass Salah-Eddine and Noussair Mazraoui — lined up against the nation where they were born. Morocco won. Again.

The red and green jersey with intricate North African geometric detailing is one of the most visually striking kits at the tournament. It is the jersey of a movement — a team, a nation, and a continent making their mark on the world's biggest stage. Morocco face Canada in the Round of 16 in Houston on July 4.

Shop the Morocco 2026 World Cup Jersey →

#3 — 🇳🇴 Norway: Haaland's Coming-Out Party

Norway returned to the World Cup for the first time since 1998 — and they did not come quietly.

Norway beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in the Round of 32, with Haaland scoring the winner in the 86th minute. That goal took Haaland to five for the tournament — level with Mbappé in the Golden Boot race and behind only Messi's all-time record of 19. Norway are through to the Round of 16, where they face Brazil at MetLife Stadium on July 5.

Norway vs Brazil. Haaland vs Vinícius. Five-time world champions against a nation back at the World Cup after 28 years. The white Norwegian jersey — barely on anyone's radar before the tournament — is now one of the most searched kits in the world.

Shop the Norway 2026 World Cup Jersey →

#4 — 🇨🇻 Cape Verde: The Island Nation That Held Spain

Cape Verde. Population: 600,000. Second-ever World Cup appearance. Result in the group stage: a 0-0 draw against Spain — one of the tournament's title favourites.

Cape Verde's World Cup success isn't just for them, it's for every soccer fan to enjoy. The story of an island nation of fewer than 600,000 people holding a team ranked in the world's top five is the kind of football fairy tale that transcends the sport.

Today, Cape Verde face Argentina in Miami — Messi's team, the defending champions, the most in-demand jersey at the tournament. Cape Verde will be heavy underdogs. But they held Spain. And that story belongs to whoever wears the kit.

Shop the Cape Verde 2026 World Cup Jersey →

#5 — 🇨🇦 Canada: The Co-Host Nobody Saw Coming

Canada were expected to be solid. They were spectacular.

Canada beat South Africa 1-0 in the Round of 32, following a group stage that included a 6-0 demolition of Qatar — one of the tournament's most emphatic results. The red Canadian jersey has been one of North America's surprise bestsellers — a kit that most football markets had never considered before this tournament.

Canada face Morocco in the Round of 16 in Houston on July 4. A co-host nation vs the 2022 semi-finalists. It is one of the matches of the round.

Shop the Canada 2026 World Cup Jersey →

#6 — 🇨🇴 Colombia: James and Díaz Finally Delivering

Colombia have the talent. They've always had the talent. James Rodríguez, Luis Díaz, a squad full of technically brilliant players — and a history of underperforming at World Cups.

Not this time. Colombia won Group K with six points, beat Uzbekistan 3-1 and DR Congo 1-0, then drew 0-0 with Portugal in the final group game knowing a point was enough. Tonight they face Ghana at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City in the Round of 32 — the match that will tell us whether this Colombia side can finally deliver on the biggest stage.

The yellow Colombia jersey carries the same cultural weight in South America that Brazil's canary yellow does globally. In a tournament where they are finally delivering, Colombian fans are buying in record numbers.

Shop the Colombia 2026 World Cup Jersey →

#7 — 🇦🇺 Australia: Back and Dangerous

Australia have flown under the radar at this tournament. They drew with Türkiye and Austria in the group stage before beating New Zealand 5-1 to advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams. Today they face Egypt in Arlington, Texas — and a win would put them in a Round of 16 against Argentina or Cape Verde.

The green and gold Socceroos jersey has been one of the tournament's quieter sellers, but a win today against Egypt would change that overnight. This is a team that could go deep — and a jersey that could become the tournament's biggest late mover.

Shop the Australia 2026 World Cup Jersey →

Last Night: Spain 3–0 Austria

Spain dispatched Austria 3-0 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles last night, with Lamine Yamal starring in a dominant display that confirmed La Roja as one of the tournament's strongest sides. Spain advance to the Round of 16, where they face the winner of Portugal vs Croatia in Dallas on July 6.

The red Spain jersey has been one of the tournament's most reliable sellers — the three-time world champions never go out of fashion. But after last night's performance, with Yamal looking like the most exciting player in the world, La Roja shirts are flying off shelves.

Shop the Spain 2026 World Cup Jersey →

Last Night: Portugal 2–1 Croatia — An Instant Classic

Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonçalo Ramos saw Portugal defeat Croatia 2-1 in a dramatic round-of-32 clash. A goalless first half saw Portugal dominate possession but create little. The game sparked to life in the 53rd minute when Ivan Perisic lashed in a low strike to give Croatia the lead.

Ronaldo then dragged Portugal level from the penalty spot in the 68th minute, after Nikola Vlasic fouled Renato Veiga in the box. Roberto Martinez substituted Ronaldo in the 81st minute, and it was substitute Ramos who headed Portugal into the lead in the 94th minute, rising high to power in from Rafael Leão's cross.

Croatia thought they leveled in the dying moments, scrambling the ball into the net — but the goal was ruled out due to offside, spelling a cruel end to Croatia's World Cup hopes.

Luka Modrić's World Cup career is over. At 40, he gave everything. Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41, continues — and faces Spain in the Round of 16 in Dallas on July 6. The Iberian derby. The match the tournament has been waiting for.

The deep red Portugal jersey is now the jersey of a man who may be playing in his final World Cup — and still winning matches. Demand has never been higher.

Shop the Portugal 2026 World Cup Jersey →

Today's Three Matches — July 3

Australia vs Egypt · 2pm ET · AT&T Stadium, Arlington

Argentina vs Cape Verde · 6pm ET · Hard Rock Stadium, Miami

Colombia vs Ghana · 9:30pm ET · Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City

Tonight's standout match is Argentina vs Cape Verde. Messi's team vs the island nation that held Spain. The defending world champions against the tournament's greatest Cinderella story. The blue and white stripes vs a nation the world has fallen in love with.

The Dark Horse Jersey Rule

Here is the thing about dark horse jerseys: they are always worth more after the tournament than before it. Germany's white jersey, worn through the most dominant group stage performance of the tournament, became a collector's piece the moment Paraguay won that penalty shootout. Morocco's red and green kit, already one of the tournament's best designs, is now the jersey of two consecutive deep World Cup runs.

The teams in this list are still playing. Their stories are not finished. Buy the jersey of the team you believe in — because in this tournament, anyone can win any match.

Browse the full 2026 World Cup collection at JerseyFun →

Published: July 3, 2026. Portugal vs Croatia and Switzerland vs Algeria results from early this morning will be added to this article. Today's matches: Australia vs Egypt (2pm ET), Argentina vs Cape Verde (6pm ET), Colombia vs Ghana (9:30pm ET).