Ecuador, Japan and Norway emerge as potential dark horses in World Cup
The Guardian Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 10, 2026, 2:30 PM
Last updated Jun 10, 2026
Ecuador, Japan, and Norway have been identified as teams with potential to disrupt expectations at the 2026 World Cup. Past tournaments have seen dark horses like Morocco in 2022 and Croatia in 2018 achieving surprising success. The addition of 48 teams this year creates opportunities for underdogs to advance deep into the tournament, raising the possibility of another memorable run by a lesser-favored nation. Analysts speculate on which of these three countries could follow in the footsteps of previous dark horses.
- •Ecuador, Japan, and Norway are highlighted as potential dark horses.
- •Morocco reached the semi-finals in 2022 as a surprise team.
- •Croatia's run to the final in 2018 exemplifies dark horse potential.
- •The 2026 World Cup has increased participation with 48 teams.
- 2:30 PMThe Guardian Sport — Why Ecuador, Japan and Norway are the dark horses at this World Cup
"It was Morocco in 2022, Croatia in 2028 and Costa Rica in 2014. Which team will make an unexpected run in 2026? By WhoScored Every World Cup needs a dark horse: the team no nobody quite planned for that disrupts the natural order and is remembered more vividly than the finalists. Morocco did it in 2022, beating Spain and Portugal on their way to becoming the first African side to reach the semi-finals. Croatia produced a fairytale run to the final in 2018. Costa Rica topped a group that featured three former champions – England, Italy and Uruguay – in 2014 before eventually losing to the Netherlands on penalties in the quarter-finals. And South Korea, who had never won a match at a World Cup, went all the way to the semi-finals in 2002. With 48 teams at this year’s tournament, there are a few candidates to make an unexpected run to the latter stages. Continue reading...
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