Fans Eye Potential Upsets for 2026 FIFA World Cup
Published June 15, 2026
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, a recent fan survey highlights several less-favored nations that some believe could surprise the football world, despite bookmakers listing traditional powerhouses as top contenders.
Published — local time around the world
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to feature an expanded 48-team format across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the prospect of unexpected contenders making a deep run is a topic of increasing discussion among fans. While betting markets typically lean heavily towards established footballing giants, a recent fan poll conducted by Euro Weekly News suggests that some supporters are looking beyond the usual suspects for potential upsets.
Traditional bookmaker favorites for the tournament include nations like Spain and France, closely followed by England, Portugal, Argentina, and Brazil. These teams are consistently given the highest mathematical probability of lifting the trophy. However, the larger field of teams and the increased number of knockout matches could, in theory, create more opportunities for less-fancied sides to advance further than in previous 32-team editions of the competition.
Achieving a surprise victory in a tournament of this magnitude often requires a confluence of favorable circumstances, including advantageous draws, key player performances, and a touch of luck in crucial moments. Among the teams mentioned by readers of Euro Weekly News as potential dark horses, Norway emerged as a notable pick. The Scandinavian nation, currently ranked around 31st globally, possesses a genuine superstar in Erling Haaland, whose prolific scoring ability could be a significant X-factor if he finds top form and receives strong support from teammates like Martin Ødegaard.
The 2026 World Cup, scheduled for June and July, promises to be a spectacle of global football, and while the favorites will undoubtedly garner much attention, the possibility of an outsider defying the odds adds an exciting layer of unpredictability to the competition.