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Four potential surprise packages at next year’s World Cup finals

Four potential surprise packages at next year’s World Cup finals

Shiriki

The countdown to the 2026 World Cup is well and truly under way with teams already securing their spots at the tournament.

By Graham Ruthven

Indeed, 18 of the total 48 places have been filled at the current time of writing, making it somewhat possible to project ahead to next summer’s tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Here are four qualified teams that could be a surprise package at the 2026 World Cup.

🇨🇦 Canada

As one of three co-hosts, Canada will have home advantage at the 2026 World Cup. This didn’t count for much at the last World Cup as Qatar crashed out of the group stage without making much of an impression, but Jesse Marsch’s team look to be in good shape ahead of next summer’s tournament.

Canada put three goals past Romania in an away friendly last week, followed that up with a win over Wales and have also held their own in recent matches against Ivory Coast and Ukraine. This is a team with match-winning quality in the shape of Jonathan David, Alphonso Davies and Tajon Buchanan and a decent level of depth throughout the squad.

Marsch has got his team playing a brand of high-energy football that is a good fit for the squad he inherited from John Herdman. ‘Red Bull Canada’ fell short of making the Gold Cup final during the summer, but look set to be difficult opponents at the 2026 World Cup when they will have hope to have a stronger squad.

2022 was the first time Canada had qualified for a World Cup since 1986. They demonstrated their ability to be competitive in Qatar, but expectations will be greater on home soil. Canada are a reflection of their head coach and are stronger than they were three years ago.

🇪🇨 Ecuador

Ecuador are one of six South American teams to have punched their ticket to the USA, Canada and Mexico with La Tri known for their defensive solidity. Indeed, Sebastián Beccacece’s side have conceded just five goals in 18 qualifiers, giving them the best defensive record in CONMEBOL.

This isn’t just a national team on the rise, but a country on the rise as a footballing force. Ecuador is producing more and more top-level talent with Independiente del Valle known in particular for their academy system – see Moisés Caicedo, Willian Pacho and Piero Hincapié, just to name a few.

The 2022 World Cup was a disappointing one for Ecuador as they exited in the group stage, but the experience of that tournament should help El Tri perform better next summer. Their matches might not be the most entertaining (Ecuador have drawn their last four of their last five matches 0-0), yet this strength at the back could suit tournament football.

🇰🇷 South Korea

Only a year ago, South Korea were in a bad way. Jürgen Klinsmann was extremely unpopular as national team manager, especially after the Taegeuk Warriors lost to Jordan in the semi-finals of the Asian Cup. Now, though, the 2002 World Cup semi-finalists appear to have rediscovered their groove.

Under Hong Myung-bo, South Korea comfortably qualified for the 2026 tournament and were comfortable in their 2-0 friendly win over Mauricio Pochettino’s USA last week. Hong has faced criticism from some supporters for the way he exited Ulsan HD to take over as national team manager, but South Korea look much more stable for his presence.

Son Heung-min remains the Taegeuk Warriors’ primary difference-maker in the final third, but the likes of Kin Min-jae, Lee Kang-in and Hwang Hee-chan are all quality operators. Hong has recently experimented with a back three that could form South Korea’s basis next summer. 

This experimentation extends to South Korea’s general approach. While Hong has generally set up his team to stay compact and hit out in quick transition, he is now attempting to push his players higher up the pitch and prolonging their passing sequences. The hope is that South Korea will be able to dictate World Cup games next summer.

🇺🇿 Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan will make their World Cup bow next summer after impressively coming through AFC qualifying. The White Wolves are riding a wave that has made the country a growing force in Asian football with Uzbekistan winning this summer’s regional CAFA Nations Cup and their Under-17s winning the youth Asian Cup.

Abdukodir Khusanov is the most recognisable name in Timur Kapadze’s squad to English and European football fans. Indeed, the central defender plays with the sort of authority at international level that has so far escaped him as a Manchester City player. Khusanov is a rock at the back for the White Wolves.

Beyond Khusanov, Abbosbek Fayzullaev is an exciting talent in the attacking third. The 21-year-old was Breakthrough Player of the Season in the Russian Premier League last year and has since joined İstanbul Başakşehir for big money. Eldor Shomurodov who plays for the same club also deserves some attention.

Much like Ecuador, Uzbekistan might not be the most exhilarating team to watch at the 2026 World Cup, but they have a sound foundation and are known for being difficult to play against. They could emulate what Georgia did at Euro 2024 by making an unexpected run to the tournament’s knockout rounds.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow all England games on FotMob in the 2025/26 season – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Four potential surprise packages at next year’s World Cup finals

The countdown to the 2026 World Cup is well and truly under way with teams already securing their spots at the tournament.

By Graham Ruthven

Indeed, 18 of the total 48 places have been filled at the current time of writing, making it somewhat possible to project ahead to next summer’s tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Here are four qualified teams that could be a surprise package at the 2026 World Cup.

🇨🇦 Canada

As one of three co-hosts, Canada will have home advantage at the 2026 World Cup. This didn’t count for much at the last World Cup as Qatar crashed out of the group stage without making much of an impression, but Jesse Marsch’s team look to be in good shape ahead of next summer’s tournament.

Canada put three goals past Romania in an away friendly last week, followed that up with a win over Wales and have also held their own in recent matches against Ivory Coast and Ukraine. This is a team with match-winning quality in the shape of Jonathan David, Alphonso Davies and Tajon Buchanan and a decent level of depth throughout the squad.

Marsch has got his team playing a brand of high-energy football that is a good fit for the squad he inherited from John Herdman. ‘Red Bull Canada’ fell short of making the Gold Cup final during the summer, but look set to be difficult opponents at the 2026 World Cup when they will have hope to have a stronger squad.

2022 was the first time Canada had qualified for a World Cup since 1986. They demonstrated their ability to be competitive in Qatar, but expectations will be greater on home soil. Canada are a reflection of their head coach and are stronger than they were three years ago.

🇪🇨 Ecuador

Ecuador are one of six South American teams to have punched their ticket to the USA, Canada and Mexico with La Tri known for their defensive solidity. Indeed, Sebastián Beccacece’s side have conceded just five goals in 18 qualifiers, giving them the best defensive record in CONMEBOL.

This isn’t just a national team on the rise, but a country on the rise as a footballing force. Ecuador is producing more and more top-level talent with Independiente del Valle known in particular for their academy system – see Moisés Caicedo, Willian Pacho and Piero Hincapié, just to name a few.

The 2022 World Cup was a disappointing one for Ecuador as they exited in the group stage, but the experience of that tournament should help El Tri perform better next summer. Their matches might not be the most entertaining (Ecuador have drawn their last four of their last five matches 0-0), yet this strength at the back could suit tournament football.

🇰🇷 South Korea

Only a year ago, South Korea were in a bad way. Jürgen Klinsmann was extremely unpopular as national team manager, especially after the Taegeuk Warriors lost to Jordan in the semi-finals of the Asian Cup. Now, though, the 2002 World Cup semi-finalists appear to have rediscovered their groove.

Under Hong Myung-bo, South Korea comfortably qualified for the 2026 tournament and were comfortable in their 2-0 friendly win over Mauricio Pochettino’s USA last week. Hong has faced criticism from some supporters for the way he exited Ulsan HD to take over as national team manager, but South Korea look much more stable for his presence.

Son Heung-min remains the Taegeuk Warriors’ primary difference-maker in the final third, but the likes of Kin Min-jae, Lee Kang-in and Hwang Hee-chan are all quality operators. Hong has recently experimented with a back three that could form South Korea’s basis next summer. 

This experimentation extends to South Korea’s general approach. While Hong has generally set up his team to stay compact and hit out in quick transition, he is now attempting to push his players higher up the pitch and prolonging their passing sequences. The hope is that South Korea will be able to dictate World Cup games next summer.

🇺🇿 Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan will make their World Cup bow next summer after impressively coming through AFC qualifying. The White Wolves are riding a wave that has made the country a growing force in Asian football with Uzbekistan winning this summer’s regional CAFA Nations Cup and their Under-17s winning the youth Asian Cup.

Abdukodir Khusanov is the most recognisable name in Timur Kapadze’s squad to English and European football fans. Indeed, the central defender plays with the sort of authority at international level that has so far escaped him as a Manchester City player. Khusanov is a rock at the back for the White Wolves.

Beyond Khusanov, Abbosbek Fayzullaev is an exciting talent in the attacking third. The 21-year-old was Breakthrough Player of the Season in the Russian Premier League last year and has since joined İstanbul Başakşehir for big money. Eldor Shomurodov who plays for the same club also deserves some attention.

Much like Ecuador, Uzbekistan might not be the most exhilarating team to watch at the 2026 World Cup, but they have a sound foundation and are known for being difficult to play against. They could emulate what Georgia did at Euro 2024 by making an unexpected run to the tournament’s knockout rounds.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow all England games on FotMob in the 2025/26 season – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.