The FIFA World Cup is built around favourites, stars and trophy forecasts, but some of its most enduring stories come from teams that were not expected to win at all. As attention turns toward the 2026 tournament, the record of past shocks is again part of the competition’s appeal.
An Al Jazeera overview of major World Cup upsets highlights a familiar pattern: defending champions falling early, debutants upsetting established powers and underdogs producing results that outlast the tournament itself. The list is not an official ranking, but it captures many of the matches most often remembered as World Cup surprises.
Early shocks that became folklore
The United States’ 1-0 win over England in 1950 remains one of the clearest examples. England arrived in Brazil with a team featuring Alf Ramsey, Tom Finney and Billy Wright, while the US squad included part-time players. Joe Gaetjens scored with a 38th-minute header, and goalkeeper Frank Borghi helped protect the lead as England pressed for an equaliser.
Four years later, West Germany’s 3-2 comeback against Hungary in the 1954 final became known as the “Miracle of Bern.” Hungary, led by Ferenc Puskas, had been one of the tournament favourites and had already beaten West Germany 8-3 earlier in the competition. In the final, Hungary led by two before West Germany drew level and Helmut Rahn scored the winner in the 84th minute.
In 1966, North Korea beat Italy 1-0 in England through Pak Doo Ik’s goal, eliminating the two-time world champions. The result was made more striking by the context: Italy played part of the match with 10 men after Giacomo Bulgarelli was injured, at a time when substitutions were not permitted.
African and Asian sides leave a mark
Algeria’s 2-1 victory over West Germany in 1982 added another landmark upset. West Germany entered as reigning European champion and a leading contender, but Rabah Madjer and Lakhdar Belloumi scored the goals that gave Algeria one of the tournament’s defining results.
Cameroon followed in 1990 by beating defending champion Argentina 1-0 in the opening match in Milan. Argentina had Diego Maradona and the status of holders; Cameroon, making its World Cup debut, held firm before Francois Omam-Biyik headed in the winner.
Senegal’s 1-0 victory over France in 2002 carried similar weight. The match opened the tournament, with France entering as world champion and Senegal appearing at its first World Cup. Papa Bouba Diop scored in the 30th minute, France later exited in the group stage, and Senegal went on to reach the quarterfinals.
Modern collapses by champions and favourites
The 2014 tournament produced two of the most dramatic scorelines on the list. Germany beat host Brazil 7-1 in the semifinal, scoring four goals between the 23rd and 29th minutes and handing Brazil its heaviest defeat since 1920. Germany then won the final against Argentina.
Earlier in that same World Cup, the Netherlands beat Spain 5-1 in a group match between the finalists from 2010. Spain had been reigning European and world champion, but after Xabi Alonso’s opener, Robin van Persie equalised with a memorable header and the Dutch scored four more. Spain were later eliminated in the group stage.
Germany were on the other side of an upset in 2018, losing 2-0 to South Korea in their final group match. Kim Young-gwon scored in stoppage time, and South Korea added a second after Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer had gone forward in search of a goal. The result meant Germany failed to advance beyond the first stage for the first time since 1938.
The most recent entry is Saudi Arabia’s 2-1 win over Argentina in 2022. Argentina entered on a 36-match unbeaten run and took the lead through Lionel Messi’s penalty, but Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem al-Dawsari scored early in the second half. Argentina recovered to win the tournament; Saudi Arabia exited in the group stage. The result still stands as a reminder that even eventual champions can be shaken on the World Cup stage.
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