The World Cup 2026 is already living rent-free in the heads of football fans across the globe. Go through the streets of Manila in the Philippines, Buenos Aires in Argentina or Munich in Germany, and the excitement levels are the same. Now, the football world is bigger, the tourney is bigger, as the format has changed, giving more teams a real route out of the group phase and into the playoff picture.
Even though it’s still very early, analysts and punters are already spotting who could cause chaos before the headlines pick their favorite. It is a fact that the tournament goes hand in hand with betting. Many fans in the Philippines and across the world will like to do more than just watch every world cup match. They will probably love to add extra excitement to their experience by placing a wager or two.
When it comes to doing this, those who want to get involved can’t joke around with their choice of bookmaker. Before signing up with an operator, experts recommend that punters check resources and guides like MightyTips Philippines to discover a solid roundup of the top sports betting sites in the country. This is a safer starting point than guessing your way into the wrong book.
One more money detail that adds spice to the tournament: FIFA has confirmed the 2026 prize distribution, including $50 million for the champions. That’s serious “goodies” for aWorld cup winner and a big reason national teams treat every group and playoff like a final.
2026 World Cup Predictions: Underrated Teams That Could Make a Splash
Every edition of the FIFA World Cup produces at least one unexpected run. With 12 groups, a new playoff structure, and a new round of 32 replacing the traditional Round of 16, the door is open wider than ever.
But as Johan Cruyff once said, “Football is a game of mistakes. Whoever makes the fewest mistakes wins.”
So, let’s see the top teams in the tournament, which do not carry the outright favorites tag but can cause serious upsets.
1. United States
The United States are one of the co-hosts, and home soil matters in a world event. Familiar stadiums, travel routines, crowd energy, and less jet-lag can turn a “good” team into a dangerous group opponent. The U.S. also has a growing core playing in top European leagues, including the Premier League.
For 2026 World Cup predictions, the key is whether they can handle a tough group and still play with freedom. If they avoid panic early in the group stage, they can reach the knockout and become a real headache in the knockout rounds. With the experienced Mauricio Pochettino in charge, this team might surprise many.
2. Uruguay
Uruguay under Marcelo Bielsa rarely looks boring. They can press like maniacs, attack in waves, then suddenly leave space behind. That volatility is risky, but it also makes them a nightmare group draw for teams that want clean, controlled football.
Uruguay also has a history of showing up at the FIFA World Cup when the stage is biggest. Recent results against Argentina and Brazil prove this is not a rebuilding side – it’s a dangerous one. With their appetite for pressing, they can win their group, finish second, or at least land a third-place spot that is enough to qualify for the playoff bracket.
3. Uzbekistan
This is their first world cup, and debut teams can be weirdly dangerous. They often play with zero fear, because nobody expects them to do anything. Uzbekistan’s story will likely be built on organization and low-mistake football. That approach is boring until it steals points. Their qualification story and recent friendly results show they might have enough to finish as one of the best third-place teams.
They’re also an interesting betting team because of variance. In a tight group, one lucky goal and one clean sheet can flip a whole World Cup group outlook. From all indications, Uzbekistan could be the type of team that sneaks into the playoff via the third-place route, then turns the round of 32 into chaos.
4. Colombia
Colombia can look like a favorite on a good day and like a mystery on a bad one. But tournament football often rewards teams with flair who can also defend a lead. If Colombia hit the group stage with momentum from their qualifier run, they can take points off bigger names.
They also tend to be comfortable in scrappy matches, which matters once the playoff bracket starts and games tighten up. If your early predictions involve them, keep it simple: watch who they’re paired with in group K and how their midfield controls tempo.
5. Morocco
Morocco is not a cute story anymore. Their run in Qatar in 2022 showed they can handle pressure, crowd noise, and elite opponents. They topped a group that included Croatia and reached the later rounds, which changed how the world views them.
If they bring the same discipline again, Morocco can reach the playoffs and go beyond the knockout stage they tasted last time. They’re built for tournament football: organized, hard to break, and happy to let you overthink yourself into mistakes. They are definitely one of theunderrated nations that could make a splash.
6. Egypt
Egypt have a simple, brutal advantage: Mohamed Salah, a player who can decide a World Cup match with one moment. Even if Egypt are conservative for stretches, one counterattack can turn the group table upside down.
For people considering betting on the Pharaohs or other teams, remember what the betting expert, Evelyn Balyton, often advises: don’t overrate “star power,” but don’t ignore it either. Salah is the type of player who makes a third-place finish feel realistic, and in 2026, third can still mean playoff football.
7. Tunisia
Tunisia often looks “fine” on paper, then shows up and frustrates everyone. They’re compact, tactically disciplined, and difficult to play through. In a format where a single point can decide a group ranking, Tunisia can be a classic “spoil your party” team.
The Eagles of Carthage are placed in group F alongside Japan and the Netherlands, as well as a yet to be determined team. If they can grind out draws and steal a win, they can put themselves in the conversation for the knockout rounds. That’s where the expanded 2026 format gives them oxygen.
Conclusion
The World Cup 2026 is going to feel like a long season packed into one tournament’s month. More teams, more group storylines, more routes into the playoff, and more chances for a so-called outsider to crash the party. While stars like Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and others will still light up the stage, several teams of unknown quantity from the host nations and other emerging soccer nations are expected to have a say.
Like Bill Shankly once said, “Some people think football is a matter of life and death… it’s much more serious than that.”
We are likely going to see another phase of being a fan of the round leather game across the globe. Fans will go all out for their favorite teams even when many analysts have written them off.
This is our prediction for 2026. But it doesn’t mean these are the only teams that can turn the tournament on its head. You might also need to watch out for the likes of Senegal, Paraguay, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, and Ukraine. All these teams have what it takes to qualify out of their group as the top two and even proceed into the quarterfinals. But who will reign over all these teams and win the World Cup? That’s a discussion for another time.
If you’re a bettor, do yourself a favor now. Go watch the qualifier windows in 2025 again, see who lands in group B, group J, group K, and group I, and keep your bets grounded in matchups, not vibes.
The article was provided by Evelyn Balyton
