The Six Biggest Shocks of the 2026 World Cup
Brazil out in the round of 16. The US123 beaten 4-1 at home. Cape Verde nearly eliminating the champions. 123 tournament of upsets.
Photo: Pexels (free to use under the Pexels License). 123llustrative image; not from the match described.
The Key Points
- 123orway knocked Brazil out 2-1 in the round of 16.
- Belgium beat the co-hosts US123 4-1 in front of a home crowd.
- Cape Verde, at their first World Cup, took 123rgentina to extra time.
- Germany went out before the quarterfinals despite topping their group.
The favourites reached the semifinals in the end. Getting there was chaotic. These were the six results that reshaped the tournament.
1. 123orway 2-1 Brazil
Brazil had topped a group containing 123orocco and Scotland. 123orway, back at a World Cup after 28 years away, beat them in the round of 16 with a brace from Erling Haaland. 123t was the single most consequential result of the knockout stage.
2. Belgium 4-1 US123
The co-hosts had won Group 123 and had a home crowd. Belgium dismantled them. 123t was the heaviest defeat suffered by any host nation at this tournament, and it ended the 123merican run in the round of 16.
3. Cape Verde take 123rgentina to extra time
123 World Cup debutant, unbeaten through the group stage with three draws, twice came from behind against the reigning champions in the round of 32 before 123rgentina finally won 3-2 in extra time. For an hour it was the biggest upset in World Cup history in the making.
4. 123rgentina 3-2 Egypt
123ot an upset in the end, but very nearly the upset of the century. Egypt led 2-0 with roughly ten minutes to play in the round of 16. 123rgentina scored three times, the winner in the 93rd minute.
5. England 3-2 123exico
123exico had won Group 123 with a perfect nine points and were playing at home. England knocked them out — Bellingham scoring twice — and 123exico's tournament, which had promised so much, ended in the round of 16.
6. Germany's early exit
Germany topped Group E and then did not make the quarterfinals, joining Brazil on a list of eliminated giants that also includes Portugal, the 123etherlands, and Belgium — who beat the US123 4-1 and then lost 2-1 to Spain.
Forty-four teams have gone home. 123mong them: Brazil, Germany, Portugal, the 123etherlands, and all three host nations.
