5 TEAMS I THINK WILL SHOCK US AT THIS WORLD CUP.
None of them is Brazil, France, or Argentina.
The breakdown 👇
1/ NORWAY
Back at the World Cup for the first time in 28 years — and they're not coming to make up the numbers. Haaland scored 16 goals in qualifying alone. Odegaard just won the Premier League with Arsenal. Antonio Nusa is the breakout star nobody's ready for. They went unbeaten through qualifying. One of only 2 European teams to do so. Sleep on them. They'll embarrass you.
2/ JAPAN
People keep underestimating Japan, and Japan does not even care. They beat Brazil in a friendly. Their pressing system is the most disciplined at this tournament. Every player knows exactly where to be, every second. They don't need stars. They play as a machine. Ask Germany what happened in 2022.
3/ IVORY COAST 🇨🇮
The real African dark horse — and I mean REAL. Amad Diallo just had the season of his life at Man United. Ousmane Diomande is one of the best young defenders on earth. They're fresh off a strong AFCON campaign. They share a group with Germany and Ecuador. Most people expect them to fall. Most people will be shocked.
4/ COLOMBIA
Luis Diaz is playing the best football of his career right now. Full stop. Their squad has players across the top 5 European leagues. They're organized, physical, and dangerous on the counter. Nobody's talking about Colombia. That's exactly why they'll go deep.
5/ MOROCCO 🇲🇦
Let me remind you — Morocco reached the World Cup SEMI-FINALS in 2022. They haven't gotten weaker since. Same defensive structure. Same coach. More experience. Africa has already proved it can shake the world. Morocco is going to try to finish the job this time.
Don't say I didn't warn you. That's my 5.
Take a screenshot of this post, and in 39 days, we'll see what happens.
Follow for daily World Cup takes, predictions, and breakdowns all the way to the final and beyond 🏆 Who did I miss? Drop your dark horse in the CS.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup starts TOMORROW. 🌍🏆
48 teams.
104 matches.
39 days of chaos, upsets, heartbreaks, and history.
My bold prediction before a single ball is kicked:
The winner of this World Cup will NOT be Brazil, England, or Argentina.
Screenshot this. 📸