Haaland-led Norway and rock-solid Ecuador: The dark horses who could surprise at the 2026 FIFA World Cup | OneFootball

Most major tournaments contain a surprise package, but who will be the dark horses of the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

Unfancied or perhaps overlooked, we've looked at five teams who have the potential to upset the odds and reach the latter stages,

Norway

Erling Haaland headlines a Norwegian team set to make their first World Cup appearance in more than two decades. Norway did not just qualify, but did so in flawless fashion. Eight wins from eight games, including emphatic home and away victories over Italy, saw Norway secure their place in North America in style.

Haaland scored 16 goals in those eight games, more thandouble the next-highest European scorer in qualification, but the Manchester City superstar is not the only top talent in Norway's ranks.

Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard will wear the armband for Ståle Solbakken's side, while Alexander Sørloth will partner Haaland in a twin-tower attack, after 20 goals this season for Atletico Madrid. Jules Ryerson will be tasked with supplying the strike duo after 15 league assists for Borussia Dortmund, from right-back, in 2025/26.

Norway have the talent to cause an upset but must start well after being drawn to face France, Senegal and Iraq in a tough group.

Ecuador

Ecuador finished as runners-up to Argentina in South America's qualifiers, ahead of traditional giants Colombia, Uruguay and Brazil.

La Tricolor have never been beyond the Round of 16 at a World Cup, but have rarely been better positioned. A backline of Joel Ordonez, Willian Pacho, Piero Hincapie and Pervis Estupinan conceded only five goals in 18 qualification games, ably protected by Chelsea generalMoises Caicedo.

Ecuador lack star power further forward, but have the defensive foundation to spring a surprise.

Japan

Japan will enter the 2026 World Cup with confidence after a fine run of form. The Samurai Blue have won six straight games in the build-up, including victories over Scotland and England. Japan stunned Germany and Spain at the 2022 tournament, and claimed a win over Brazil last October.

Their record against European sides is good, having not lost in normal time to a European nation since the 2018 World Cup, a run of nine games. Japan will have no fear of the traditional favourites, as they bid to progress past the Round of 16 for the first time.

Morocco

Morocco made history after becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final in Qatar, with the challenge of the Atlas Lions ending against France in the final four.

Since then, Morocco claimed 2026 AFCON success on home soil, after a controversial re-allocation of the trophy.

Morocco are arguably the best placed of teams outside of Europe and South America to go far. In Achraf Hakimi they have a genuine world-class operator, while Brahim Diaz, Ismael Saibari and Abde Ezzalzouli add x-factor. Keep an eye on wonderfully talented teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi, who has opted to represent Morocco ahead of France.

Turkey

Turkey return to the World Cup for the first time since a third-place finish in 2002, with optimism high after reaching the quarter-finals at Euro 2024.

Vincenzo Montella has a brilliant cast of attacking talent at his disposal, with Arda Guler, Kenan Yildiz and Barış Alper Yılmaz all players to watch closely. With Hakan Calhanoglu pulling the strings, Turkey have no shortage of technical talent.