‘Dark Horse’ nations on World Cup 2026
- ‘Dark Horse’ nations on World Cup 2026
The biggest football competition in the world is approaching, and therefore we are warming up to present this World Championship to you through our texts in the best light. The Kings of Quota have prepared four series for you as an announcement of what will happen at this tournament, and in this second series there will be words about the national teams that are not among the favorites but could go far and create a potential surprise. You can follow all the events of the 2026 World Championship on our website and the accounts described below.
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Almost every World Championship in the past had a national team that made it far, even though no one expected it from them, and they weren't even among the favorites for such a thing. In Japan and South Korea, in 2002, one of the hosts, South Korea, led by Gus Hidding, reached the semi-finals, as did Turkey. Although both teams lost, they met in the match for third place, where Turkey was still better. At the next championship, in Germany in 2006, there were no such surprises, but in 2010, France, which played in the final in 2006, took the last place in the group stage, as did Italy, which defended the world title, and Uruguay reached the semi-finals. At the championship played in 2014, the then world champion from the championship before this one, Spain, also finished the competition in the group stage. Both Italy and England were eliminated in the group stage. At the championship in Russia, 2018. Godine, Germany, champion from 2014. Godine was eliminated in the group. The absolute surprise was Croatia, which reached the final, but lost to France. At the last championship in Qatar, in 2022, Germany was again eliminated in the group stage, while Croatia again reached the semifinals, and lost to the tournament winner, Argentina, and the absolute hit was Morocco, which was also stopped in the semifinals by France.
Given that we have as many as 48 national teams at this upcoming championship, the unexpected should be expected. It is not impossible for one of the favorites to finish participating already in the group stage, or for one of the "outsiders" to make it far. In our opinion, there are six national teams that can be so-called. "dark horse" in the championship, or in simpler words, teams that could make a surprise and go far.
Japan
This is no longer just a nice team. "Samurai" seem tactically mature and have many players who play in top European leagues. The Japanese are a very disciplined, organized and team-oriented team. They reached this championship impressively, having played 16 qualifying matches, in which they recorded as many as 13 victories, 2 draws and only one defeat, when everything was already decided. Kubo, Ito, Maeda, and Kamada are top players who can dominate the field. Japan is in a group with Sweden, the Netherlands and Tunisia, and the chances of passing the group are quite realistic, and the quota for winning the championship is 52. If they get a good draw after the group, the quarterfinals are possible, if not, something more.
Morocco
After a great performance at the championship in Qatar, when they reached the semi-finals, Morocco now enjoys a lot of respect. This team played in the 1st final of the African Cup of Nations this year when they were defeated on the field in overtime with 1:0, but later won the title at the 'green' table due to the withdrawal of the Senegalese players from the field at one point. It was certainly a very controversial match, but Maorko essentially showed that they are an excellent team and that they play continuously. This team has great energy and mentality, as well as experience playing big games. The true captain and leader of the team is Asraf Hakimi, who is expected to command the team and make another great success. In the qualifications for this championship, the Moroccans were perfect, registering eight victories from the same number of matches, and conceding only two goals. They are in the group with Brazil, Scotland and Haiti, and it is to be expected that they will pass the group. Odds for them to win the championship are 51.
Norway
The Norwegians are perhaps the most interesting candidate for an explosion in the tournament. They have a top attack with Haaland and Odegard, and they seem like a real team ready for great success. Everyone will certainly want to avoid this national team in the knockout phase. They are in a group with France, Senegal and Iraq, and if this is one of the more interesting groups, we should expect their passage. As for the qualifications for this tournament, they were perfect. They recorded all eight victories with a goal difference of 37:5, and Haaland as the best scorer of the qualifiers where he scored 16 goals and registered two assists. The round of 16 was the best reach of this national team in the past, and now the fans expect a lot from the Haaland I team. The odds of their winning is 26.5.
Senegal
Senegal, with the forward, brilliant Sadio Mane, could also go far. The Senegalese have enough experience, they are physically strong and very fast, and therefore difficult for any opponent. The group is not easy for them, there are France, Norway and 'outsider' Iraq, and they need a fight for the first two places between them, the French and the Norwegians. In the qualifications for this tournament, Senegal was the first in the group with 24 points from ten matches and ensured direct participation. Along with Mane, there are also Sarr, Ndiaye, and Nicholas Jackson, top players who can make a difference. The odds on winning Senegal is 100.
Croatia
The team that reached the final in 2018 and the semi-finals in Qatar in 2022, led by captain Luka Modric, has high expectations again. Along with Modric, there are young Vuskovic, Guardiol, Stanisic, Kovaci and Perisic, so it seems that they are even stronger than before. They were great in the qualifiers and scored 22 points in eight matches, which was enough for first place and direct placement in the final tournament. And England, Ghana and Panama are waiting in the group, and we should expect them to be among the first two national teams. Odds for the "fiery" to win the championship is 81.
Turkey
The whole nation has great expectations from this generation, which they say is perhaps even better than the one from 2002, the year that brought them third place on the planet. In the World Cup qualifiers, Turkey was in a group with Spain and won 13 points, which brought them second place and placement in the draw. There, they first defeated Romania with a minimal score and then Kosovo and reached the final tournament. Manchester United goalkeeper Bayandir defends the goal, Zeki Celik and Sojuncu are in defense, Calhanoglu, Guler, Uzun Can are in the middle and Gul Deniz and Kenan Yildiz are in attack. These boys and their teammates in the group are expecting duels with the host USA, Paraguay and Australia. The Turks certainly expect the passage of the group, and maybe something more. Odds for them to win the championship is 81.
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