Surprise Packages to Watch at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Every true soccer supporter roots for the dark horse. Nothing beats the feeling when an unfancied team beat a traditional powerhouse during the global tournament. Because the upcoming North American event expanding to 48 teams, the chances for incredible surprises are higher than ever before. This new format guarantees that we will see debutants and returning underdogs. In this breakdown, we take a look at the surprise packages that could make history during the 2026 tournament.

While the heavyweights are expected to win, these smaller nations are the ones everyone secretly cheers for.

The CAF Dark Horses

The CAF region has seen massive improvements. Inspired by Morocco's incredible performance at the previous tournament, all African nations truly feels that reaching the final is possible. Because CAF now has 9 direct qualification spots, fans will likely witness incredible squads from the continent reaching the knockout stages. These nations usually rely on incredible physical strength, blistering pace and players who perform in top European leagues. It would be a mistake to ignore an African dark horse during the Round of 32.

The Growth of Asian Football

In a similar vein, the Asian confederation has taken massive strides forward. The Japanese and South Korean squads are regular knockout stage contenders, but the emerging AFC squads are poised for a breakthrough. Keep an eye on teams such as Uzbekistan or Iraq. The Green Falcons demonstrated their incredible potential when they defeated Argentina in 2022. With huge funding poured into local academies, these AFC nations are tactically disciplined and can frustrate even the most potent attacking forces.

• The Organized Squads: Squads that defend perfectly and hit on the counter-attack.


• The Newcomers: Squads playing with pure passion and zero pressure.


• The Sleeping Giant: Nations that haven't qualified in 20 years finally returning to the global stage.

The Hosts and Neighbors

As the event takes place in the CONCACAF region, teams from this region will feel right at home. While the host nations are under pressure to perform, keep an eye on squads such as the Jamaican Reggae Boyz or Panama. These CONCACAF squads are known for incredible physicality and speed. Playing closer to home could provide the necessary energy they need to cause a major upset.

For a quick summary of potential dark horses.