The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in a matter of days in Mexico, USA, and Canada, and the usual suspects are the favourites to lift the trophy in New York on July 19th.
Argentina, France, England, and Spain are the top teams going into this the group stages, but as we have seen many times at the World Cup, some underrated teams can shock the entire planet by going all the way to win the World Cup or by putting together a deep run that their nation will forever be proud of, like what Morocco did back in 2022.
Here are our top 5 dark horses for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Top 5 Dark Horses at the FIFA World Cup
The Netherlands
They are always outsiders, but they came so close to winning it back in 2010. In 2022, they forced eventual champions Argentina to penalties in the quarter-finals, and they also made a respectable run to the semi-finals of the Euros in 2024. If the Netherlands hit the ground running again in this tournament and get a favourable draw, they can surprise everybody and win the World Cup.
Senegal
The African champions (depending on where you stand) make this list just ahead of Morocco, who were the surprise package of the last World Cup. Senegal will certainly shock some fans at this World Cup with the array of talent they have in every single position. This team has the physicality, squad depth, technical excellence, speed, finishing, and energy to beat any team in the world on their day.
Japan
Japanese football continues to grow, and every four years, football fans judge how they’re doing and their potential for future tournaments. This year, they might just go a bit further than they usually do, and that will require some giant killing.
Japan’s footballing identity is based on technique, speed, and, more recently, relentless pressing. With more stars in top teams and top leagues around the world, the Samurais are always a threat. Paired with the Netherlands, Sweden, and Tunisia in Group F, Japan has what it takes to top their group and go on a good run in the tournament.
Colombia
Colombia are odds-on favourites to finish second in Group K behind Portugal, but anyone who has followed the progress of the Colombians will not be shocked if they top that group.
The Colombians are a very rugged and compact side that came very close to winning the 2024 Copa America. It feels like Colombian football is on the rise again, and this World Cup is perfect for Luis Diaz and James Rodriguez to show the world what that looks like once again.
Norway
This well-structured team will worry many teams at this year’s tournament. Norway has everything they need for a deep run in this year’s World Cup.
A strong striking department containing three Viking-like strikers in Alexander Sorloth, Erling Haaland, and Jorgen Strand Larsen, along with midfielders like the tricky Oscar Bobb, Antonio Nusa, Martin Odegaard, Andreas Schjelderup, and Sander Berge, plus a backline that has grown together, gives Norway the ability to shock the world.
These teams have what it takes to put together a run that will worry some of the tournament favourites. All of them also have the potential to deliver giant-killing performances in the early rounds of the knockout stages.
