World Cup 2026 Dark Horses — Every Underdog Run Ends in the Quarter-finals

Norway wrote the greatest dark horse story of the 2026 World Cup — right up to the Quarter-final. In the Round of 16, they faced Brazil — and won. Erling Haaland scored a stunning header in the 79th minute, then drilled the winner in the 90th minute to send Norway through 2-1. Neymar's penalty in 90+5' was too little, too late.

In their first-ever World Cup Quarter-final, on July 11 in Miami, Andreas Schjelderup put Norway ahead in the 36th minute. But Jude Bellingham equalised right before half-time (45+2') and struck the extra-time winner (93') as England won 2-1 after extra time. Haaland did not add to his tally and finishes the tournament on 7 goals — tied 3rd in the Golden Boot race (level with Bellingham) behind Mbappé (10, Golden Boot winner) and Messi (8, played the Final). Norway's run — the greatest in their football history — ends at the Quarter-final stage.

Switzerland were one of the tournament's quiet overachievers. They ground out a 0-0 draw with Colombia in the Round of 16 before winning 4-3 on penalties, sending them to their first World Cup Quarter-final since 1954 — a 72-year wait finally over.

Their QF against defending champions Argentina on July 11 in Kansas City went to extra time. Alexis Mac Allister put Argentina ahead early (10'), but Dan Ndoye levelled for Switzerland in the second half (67') to force extra time. Argentina found two more late — Julián Álvarez (112') and Lautaro Martínez (120+1') — to win 3-1 and end Switzerland's historic run.

Morocco's dark-horse run went deep again. They beat Canada 3-0 in the Round of 16 (Ounahi leading the way), eliminating the host nation's neighbours, and confirmed a second consecutive deep World Cup run by reaching the Quarter-finals.

Morocco faced France on July 9 in Boston (Gillette Stadium) in QF1 — a rematch of the 2022 Semi-final, which France also won. France won this one 2-0 as well (Mbappe's pen was saved but he scored and assisted Dembele's goal), ending Morocco's bid to go one better than 2022.

Japan's 2026 World Cup dream ended in the Round of 32. They lost to Brazil 2-1 on June 29, ending their tournament. The Samurai Blue, who sensationally beat Germany and Spain in 2022, could not repeat the upset against the five-time champions.

They were competitive, as always, but Brazil's quality proved too much. Japan's golden generation exits the 2026 World Cup at the Round of 32 stage — though their 2022 record of topping a group over Germany and Spain remains one of the great World Cup stories.

Colombia are a side with genuine technical quality throughout. They reached the Copa America 2024 Final (losing to Argentina on a late goal) with an exciting young squad. Their attacking talent and rhythm of play is one of the most entertaining in the tournament.

Colombia face Ghana on July 3 in the Round of 32 and carry significant momentum through the group stage. With players like Luis Diaz in blistering club form, they have the tools to hurt any opponent.

Cape Verde are the emotional story of the 2026 World Cup. A tiny island nation of 550,000 people in the Atlantic, they are making their World Cup debut — and they did not come just to make up the numbers.

In the group stage, Cape Verde held Spain to a 0-0 draw — one of the tournament's biggest shocks. Their goalkeeper Vozinha went from 46,000 Instagram followers to over 5 million overnight. They have since become the neutral's favourite team and a symbol of what the expanded 48-team format can produce.

Now they face defending champions Argentina on July 3 in the Round of 32 — Messi vs Vozinha. They are unlikely to win. But as a story, as an inspiration, and as proof that football is truly global — Cape Verde are the heart of the 2026 World Cup.