Now that the 2026 America World Cup has ended, we can reflect upon which teams were the biggest winners and losers of the tournament. Only one team ever celebrates FIFA World Cup glory, but other sides have still had great tournaments. Likewise, some sides have also had pretty awful campaigns. These are the biggest winners and losers of the 2026 America World Cup based on pre-tournament expectations.
Spain were the biggest winners of the 2026 America World Cup as the team that lifted the trophy. The Spaniards defeated Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Austria, Portugal, Belgium, France, and Argentina to win the World Cup after an opening 0-0 blip against Cabo Verde. Although Spain weren’t the highest scoring team in the tournament, they were certainly the best side defensively and conceded just one goal in eight games. The Spaniards won the tournament with a fine brand of possession-based soccer, which enhanced their defensive strength.
Norway were the biggest surprise package of the 2026 America World Cup. The Norwegians had been in World Cup exile for decades before this tournament, but they didn’t just show up for the group stage party. Norway defeated Iraq and Senegal to finish second in their group with Erling Haaland banging in the goals.
In turn, things got all the better for Norway in the knockout stages. First, they beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in the second round. Then Norway pulled off the shock of the America World Cup by knocking Brazil out in the third round with a 2-1 win. The Norwegians eventually succumbed to England 2-1 in the quarter-finals, but the Viking warriors still had their best World Cup ever. For a small country in population terms (approximately 5.63 million), reaching the last eight of this World Cup was a great triumph.
England might not have gone all the way, but the Three Lions still had one of the best World Cups in their history by reaching the semifinals. The Three Lions defeated Croatia, Panama, DR Congo, Mexico, and Norway en route to the semis. England’s magnificent 3-2 triumph against Mexico in the high-altitude Azteca Stadium was among the finest victories in the Three Lions’ history. Although the Three Lions lost 2-1 to the defending champions, Argentina, in the semifinals, England still had their best-ever World Cup outside of Europe.
True, England’s persistent failure to win international soccer tournaments continues. There was some backlash against Tuchal after the semifinal defeat, but he’s right that English soccer has a DNA issue when it comes to winning trophies. In fact, the FA even launched an England DNA initiative after the Brazil World Cup. England’s results have improved in recent years, albeit without winning a trophy, and the signs are the Three Lions are heading in the right direction after this World Cup.
Egypt were another team that had their best-ever World Cup in America. The Egyptians defied pre-tournament expectations by reaching the third round. Egypt secured their first-ever World Cup win with a 3-1 victory against New Zealand and eliminated Australia on penalties in the second round. Egypt were in World Cup dreamland when they led Argentina 2-0 deep into the second half before the La Albiceleste fought back to win the third-round match 3-2. However, Egypt still had plenty to celebrate with their first World Cup victories against the Aussies and New Zealand.
The five-time world champions were among the biggest disappointments in this America World Cup. Although Brazil topped their group with wins against Scotland and Haiti, the shocking Brazilian defeat to Norway in the round of 16 made this World Cup their worst since Italia 90. This Brazil team lacked identity with a rather disjointed playstyle that wasn’t even appealing to watch. It was one of the most forgettable Brazilian teams to grace a World Cup.
Germany was another of the historical heavyweights that made an early exit in the 2026 America World Cup. Although the Germans made an encouraging start with a 7-1 trashing of Curaçao, reaching the knockout stage was the most they had to celebrate. Their penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in the second round was one of the biggest knockout stage shocks in World Cup history. This World Cup was a slight enhancement on their previous two campaigns, but it fell well short of Germany’s historical standards.
Many pundits proclaimed Uruguay to be among the most dangerous dark horses in the 2026 America World Cup, as a team with a star-studded midfield. Although a 1-0 defeat to Spain was more expected, Uruguay’s draws against Saudi Arabia and Cabo Verde were certainly not. Consequently, Uruguay crashed out in the group stage without a single victory and were the biggest flop of the World Cup.
So, congratulations to Spain for winning the 2026 America World Cup. England, Egypt, and Norway can also celebrate their great FIFA World Cup campaigns. Unfortunately, former winners Uruguay, Germany, and Brazil have had quite shambolic tournaments by their historical standards.
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