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Top 5 Surprise Teams of the 2026 World Cup Group Stage
2026-06-26
The 48-Team Format Changes Everything
The expanded 2026 World Cup has created more room for surprises than any tournament in history. The expansion changes the maths in the underdog's favour: a non-favourite no longer has to win its group — or even finish second — to reach the knockouts. One disciplined night there can topple a giant.
The group stage has already bent the form book. Here are the five teams doing the bending.
#1 — 🇳🇴 Norway: Haaland's Coming-Out Party
No team has surprised more neutrals at this World Cup than Norway. Norway is back at the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, and it arrives as one of Europe's most in-form sides — it dominated a qualifying group that included Italy and went undefeated during the qualifying process.
The results have backed up the pre-tournament hype and then some. A 4–1 demolition of Iraq on June 16, followed by a thrilling 3–2 win over Senegal on June 22 — seven goals scored, Erling Haaland with four in two games, and a Golden Boot race with Messi that has become one of the tournament's great storylines.
Norway were the third seed that all of the big guns wanted to avoid in the draw, and with good reason. Stale Solbakken's well-drilled side stormed through qualifying, routing Italy twice along the way, mainly because they now have a supporting cast worthy of superstar striker Erling Haaland. If Norway survive the closest thing to a 'Group of Death' at a 48-team tournament, nobody will want to play them in the knockout stage.
Tonight's final group game against France is the match of the round. Whatever the result, Norway have already announced themselves as one of the tournament's most dangerous teams.
Why their jersey is worth buying: Norway's white home jersey was barely on anyone's radar before this tournament. It's now one of the surprise bestsellers — and if Haaland keeps scoring, demand is only going up.
Shop the Norway 2026 World Cup Jersey →
#2 — 🇲🇦 Morocco: The 2022 Magic Continues
On current form, Morocco are the biggest dark horse at World Cup 2026. They sit level with Brazil in Group C and reached the semi-finals in 2022, so a deep run would be no fluke.
Morocco's group stage has been sensational. A 1–1 draw with Brazil on June 13 — one of the results of the tournament — was followed by a stunning 4–2 win over Haiti on June 24 that confirmed their class. Morocco were sensational against Brazil, even after a few key injuries hit their preparations hard, and they have some very talented youngsters stepping up — Saibiri and Bouaddi are proper talents. Big time energy, so fun to watch.
The Atlas Lions are building something special. Their run to the semi-finals in Qatar 2022 was not a fluke — it was a foundation. In 2026, on a bigger stage with a more experienced squad, Morocco are a genuine threat to go all the way.
Why their jersey is worth buying: Morocco's red and green kit with intricate North African geometric detailing is one of the most visually striking jerseys at the tournament. It's the shirt of a team the whole world is watching.
Shop the Morocco 2026 World Cup Jersey →
#3 — 🇨🇦 Canada: The Host Nation Nobody Saw Coming
Canada were expected to be solid as a co-host nation. Nobody expected them to be this good. Canada produced one of the results of the tournament — a 6–0 demolition of Qatar that announced their arrival as a genuine force in world football.
The Canada story runs deeper than one result. Two of the three co-hosts are in the same conversation and rightly so — they all have plenty of talented players and having home advantage at a World Cup always seems to work well. Mexico are already in the Round of 32 and Canada look highly likely to join them.
A 1–1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the opener showed resilience. The 6–0 win over Qatar showed clinical finishing. Canada are building momentum at exactly the right time.
Why their jersey is worth buying: The red Canadian kit was an afterthought before this tournament. After a 6–0 win and a host nation playing some of the best football they've produced in generations, it's become one of the most talked-about jerseys in North America.
Shop the Canada 2026 World Cup Jersey →
#4 — 🇨🇴 Colombia: James and Díaz Delivering
Colombia came into the tournament with talent but question marks. They've answered every one. Colombia opened with a 3–1 win over Uzbekistan, followed by a 1–0 win over DR Congo — six points from two games and top of Group K heading into tonight's final fixture against Portugal.
Colombia has James Rodríguez, Luis Díaz and a deep attacking pool that gives it the ability to beat anybody in the world on a given day. James still pulls the strings, but he doesn't have to carry everything anymore — Díaz's directness, a press that suffocates in midfield and genuine defensive solidity make this a complete side.
Our statistical model gives Colombia a 22% knockout advancement chance — one of the highest among non-favourites. Tonight's game against Portugal will tell us exactly how far this Colombia side can go.
Why their jersey is worth buying: Colombia's yellow kit has the same iconic status in South America as Brazil's canary yellow. In a tournament where their team is finally delivering, Colombian fans are buying in record numbers.
Shop the Colombia 2026 World Cup Jersey →
#5 — 🇨🇻 Cape Verde: The Shock of the Group Stage
If you're looking for the purest underdog story of the 2026 World Cup, look no further than Cape Verde. Cape Verde shocked the world with a goalless draw against Spain — one of the tournament favourites — in a result that immediately made the island nation the story of the group stage's opening round.
For a nation of fewer than 600,000 people making only their second World Cup appearance, holding Spain to a draw is the stuff of football fairy tales. Cape Verde may not advance from the group, but they've already written themselves into World Cup history.
Why their jersey is worth buying: Cape Verde's kit is the ultimate conversation starter at any watch party. When you're wearing the shirt of the team that held Spain, you've got a story to tell.
Shop the Cape Verde 2026 World Cup Jersey →
The Ones Who Surprised in the Wrong Direction
Not every surprise at the 2026 World Cup has been a positive one.
Türkiye, tipped as dark horses for a deep World Cup run, entered Group D boasting perhaps the best squad on paper with the likes of Arda Güler and Kenan Yildiz among other talents — and it's safe to say they endured a nightmare tournament. Türkiye registered 62 shots in two games and failed to score a single goal — the most shots without a goal by a team in a single World Cup since 1966. They are already eliminated.
Czechia were eliminated from the World Cup on June 24 as Mexico maintained their 100% winning record and beat Czechia 3–0. A team with genuine quality, going home without a win.
What the Knockout Rounds Hold
The 2026 tournament gives dark horses more room than ever. The expanded format sends the eight best third-placed teams into the Round of 32, so a side can scrape through its group and still reach the knockouts, where a single win changes everything.
Norway, Morocco, Canada, Colombia — these are the teams that could make the 2026 World Cup unforgettable. And the jerseys they wear while doing it are the ones fans will be searching for.
The Round of 32 begins tomorrow, June 28. Get your jersey before the knockout rounds start — popular teams and sizes are already selling fast.
Shop the 2026 World Cup Collection at JerseyFun
JerseyFun carries official-quality replica jerseys for all 48 nations, including every dark horse and surprise team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Fast worldwide shipping — order now and receive before your team's next match.
Browse the full 2026 World Cup collection at JerseyFun →
Published: June 27, 2026. Group stage results based on matches completed through June 26. Today's final group games are ongoing — this article will be updated with final standings.