The expanded format has rewritten the underdog playbook

Every World Cup produces at least one Cinderella story. Morocco's run to the 2022 semifinals. Costa Rica's group stage heroics in 2014. Croatia's journey to the 2018 final. The 2026 edition, with its expanded 48-team format and 32 knockout spots, is built for surprises. More teams advance from groups than ever before, and the path to the quarterfinals has never been more open.

‍

Iraq's extraordinary return after 40 years

Iraq's only previous World Cup appearance was in 1986 in Mexico. Forty years later, they are back  and they qualified in the most dramatic fashion imaginable. On March 31, 2026, Iraq became the 48th and final team to qualify by beating Bolivia 2-1 in the intercontinental playoff final at Monterrey. Ali al-Hamadi opened the scoring in the 10th minute, and Aymen Hussein sealed it in the 53rd  the very last qualifying goal of the entire campaign. The scenes in Baghdad were extraordinary the government declared a two-day national holiday.

Iraq face a brutally difficult Group I  France, Senegal, and Norway  but their qualification path, spanning 21 matches, has forged resilience. Advancing as a best third-place team is not out of the question.

Curaçao: the smallest nation to ever qualify

With a population of approximately 156,000, Curaçao are the smallest nation by both population and land area ever to qualify for a men's FIFA World Cup. The Caribbean island topped their CONCACAF qualifying group with an unbeaten record. They face Group E alongside Germany, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador — and their opening match against Germany on June 14 in Houston will be the ultimate David versus Goliath moment.

‍

DR Congo end a 52-year wait

When DR Congo last appeared at a World Cup, they were called Zaire. That was in 1974 in West Germany. Now, under French coach Sébastien Desabre, they return with a squad transformed by dual-national players from European leagues. Axel Tuanzebe scored the decisive goal in extra time to beat Jamaica in the intercontinental playoff final. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Yoane Wissa, and Chancel Mbemba add further pedigree. DR Congo face Group K with Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan.

‍

Scotland's nostalgic reunion with Brazil and Morocco

Scotland have not played at a World Cup since 1998. That year, they faced Brazil and Morocco in the group stage — and lost to both. Twenty-eight years later, fate has delivered the same opponents. Group C pairs Scotland with Brazil, Morocco, and Haiti. Steve Clarke's squad clinched qualification with a dramatic 4-2 victory over Denmark. Scott McTominay leads a team combining Premier League experience with raw passion.

‍

Norway and Ecuador: the dark horses who could go deep

Norway are the strongest dark horse in the tournament  a perfect qualifying campaign, 37 goals scored, Haaland with 16 qualifying goals, and Martin Ødegaard pulling strings from midfield. Ecuador arrive on a remarkable 17-match unbeaten streak with only five goals conceded in 18 qualifiers and 13 clean sheets. Under Sebastián Beccacece, they beat Argentina, Brazil, the Netherlands, and all three 2026 host nations during qualifying. Chelsea's Moisés Caicedo anchors a midfield built for tournament football.

‍

Why debutants matter more than ever

The expansion to 48 teams means 32 sides advance from the group stage — the top two from each group plus the eight best third-place finishers. Uzbekistan's Abdukodir Khusanov, a centre-back at Manchester City, gives them a genuine star. Jordan's Mousa Al-Tamari, the first Jordanian to play and score in a top-five European league, carries his nation's hopes in Group J against Argentina.