Potential Dark Horses in the 2026 World Cup
As the anticipation builds for the upcoming World Cup, discussions typically revolve around the favorites such as France, Spain, and England, along with perennial contenders like Brazil, Argentina, Germany, and Portugal. However, there exist several lesser-known teams that could surprise everyone by making a significant impact in the tournament. Here, we take a closer look at five potential dark horses for the 2026 World Cup, who have the capability to upset the odds and challenge the established footballing powers.
Morocco, which made headlines in 2022 by advancing to the semifinals, has proven that underdogs can achieve remarkable feats. The North African side eliminated both Spain and Portugal in Qatar and ultimately finished in fourth place. With players like Achraf Hakimi from Paris Saint-Germain leading the charge, Morocco is expected to perform well again in 2026. Coach Mohamed Ouahbi has assembled a talented squad featuring experienced goalkeeper Yassine Bounou from Al-Hilal and defensive stalwarts such as Nayef Aguerd from Marseille and Noussair Mazraoui from Manchester United, alongside promising talents like Chadi Riad of Crystal Palace.
The midfield is the jewel of the Atlas Lions, orchestrated by veterans like Sofyan Amrabat from Real Betis and the young prodigy Ayyoub Bouaddi of Lille, with creative talents Brahim Diaz from Real Madrid and Bilal El Khannous from Stuttgart contributing to the attacking play. Speedy players like Abde Ezzalzouli from Betis, Chemsdine Talbi from Sunderland, and Ayoube Amaimouni-Echghouyab from Frankfurt add to their dynamic play. The only missing piece for Morocco to truly be a dark horse is a world-class striker, but their cohesive unit could still prove hazardous for the favorites.
Austria has shed its image as a mere secret tip and has transformed into a formidable side under coach Ralf Rangnick. Their impressive performance at Euro 2024, despite bowing out in the round of 16, showcased their development. Making it to the World Cup for the first time since 1998 is a testament to the hard work put in by the German coach. The Austrian squad is solid across the board, with no glaring weaknesses and seasoned players like David Alaba from Real Madrid and Marko Arnautovic from Belgrade likely participating in their final major tournament.
In a challenging group featuring Algeria, Argentina, and Jordan, Austria aims for a second-place finish. The team's aggressive pressing style could create opportunities in the knockout phase, even though the absence of key player Christoph Baumgartner from Leipzig due to injury is a significant blow.
The Ivory Coast's squad is packed with talent, making their early exit in the quarterfinals of the last Africa Cup of Nations hard to comprehend. With exciting young wingers like Yan Diomande from Leipzig, Bazoumana Toure from Hoffenheim, and Amad Diallo from Manchester United, the Elephants possess a wealth of attacking options. Their defense is bolstered by players such as Evan N’Dicka from Roma and Ousmane Diomande from Sporting, while the midfield duo of Seko Fofana from Porto and former Barcelona star Franck Kessie from Al-Ahli is among the strongest in the tournament.
Like Morocco, the Ivory Coast lacks a reliable goal scorer, but rising star Ange-Yoan Bonny from Inter has the potential to shine if he can demonstrate his ability to score at a high level. Should they navigate their challenging group with Germany, Ecuador, and Curacao successfully, the Ivorian team could go far.
Turkey has not participated in a World Cup since 2002, when they finished third in Japan and South Korea. Under coach Vincenzo Montella, new talents have emerged, marking a refreshing change from the days of Hakan Sükür. Veteran Hakan Calhanoglu from Inter and Arda Güler from Real Madrid, who was named the best young player in the Champions League last season, are among the top midfielders globally. Additionally, rising stars like Kenan Yildiz from Juventus and Can Uzun from Frankfurt are gaining recognition.
Despite a defense that may not meet the highest standards, Turkey’s squad contains experienced players from Europe’s top leagues. In the group stage, they will face favorable matchups against the USA, Paraguay, and Australia, providing a great opportunity for the Turkish team to dream big.
Japan, having previously surprised Germany in the group stage four years ago, is again poised to challenge favorites in 2026. Their recent win against England under coach Thomas Tuchel highlighted their potential. The squad features Bundesliga players like Hiroki Ito from Bayern and Kaishu Sano from Mainz, who is valued at 40 million euros, making him the most valuable player in Hajime Moriyasu's lineup. With talents such as Daichi Kamada from Crystal Palace, Daizen Maeda from Celtic, and Takefusa Kubo from San Sebastian, Japan aims for a realistic goal of reaching the quarterfinals in a group that includes the Netherlands, Tunisia, and Sweden.
As reported by focus.de.
