Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterWith 48 teams and more minnows than before, anything could happen this summer as these previous shocks illustrate.Cape Verde proved it in their very first World Cup 2026 fixture, holding reigning European champions Spain to a goalless draw in a remarkable, pulsating World Cup 2026 upset in Atlanta.As one of the tournament's four debutants, few gave the Blue Sharks any hope of taking even a point off Spain. Why stop making history after qualification?Play our free match predictor and win �1k26. Spain 0-0 Cape Verde (2026)Cape Verde are the third-smallest World Cup nation in history by population and their draw against 2010 winners Spain was an astonishing World Cup bow.The Blue Sharks bagged a point in their World Cup 2026 group opener and could even have turned it into three with a late goal. That wasn't to be, but it hardly seemed to matter. You may like How to watch World Cup 2026: FREE live streams, groups, next matches World Cup 2026 Playoffs: The complete guide World Cup 2026: Every team to have qualified In full view of the football world, the tiny island nation off the coast of Africa sprung one of football's great surprises and the performance of 40-year-old Vozinha in goal will echo through the ages.Spain paid for their lack of cutting edge but Vozinha and Cape Verde produced a stunning display and a famous result.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.25. United States 1-2 Iran (1998)When the two enemies met at the 2022 World Cup, things passed off reasonably smoothly well, apart from the USA modifying Iran's flag on social media, removing the Islamic Republic emblem to show "support for the women in Iran fighting for basic human rights".Iranian media responded by demanding they be kicked out of the tournament that didn't happen, and the US won 1-0. Their tensest World Cup meeting was their first, in the group stage in 1998 amid a huge police presence in Lyon, Iran stunned the USA with goals from Hamid Estili and Mehdi Mahdavikia, to secure their first ever victory at the tournament and eliminate their rivals."Tonight, again, the strong and arrogant opponent felt the bitter taste of defeat," declared Ayatollah Khamenei. The USA and Iran have never met in a knockout tie mere months after Khamenei's assassination, if both teams finish runners-up in their respective groups this summer, they'll go head to head in the last 32 What to read next World Cup 2026 penalty shootouts: Every nation's record from the spot World Cup day four highlights: Underestimate Germany at your peril, dark horse emerges, late drama and Graham Potter's redemption story World Cup 2026 power rankings: Are Lionel Messi and Argentina still the team to beat? 24. Brazil 1-2 Norway (1998)Weeks before Brazil's 1998 World Cup imploded in the final, not helped by Ronaldo's pre-match convulsions, the reigning champions were stunned by Norway, the Scandinavians bagging a spot in the last 16.Up against a forward line of Ronaldo, Bebeto, Rivaldo and Denilson, Tore Andre Flo levelled late on for Egil Olsen's men, before Kjetil Rekdal won the clash with a controversial penalty. Norway are still the only nation to have played Brazil and never lost to them.23. Costa Rica 1-0 Scotland (1990)Scotland were playing their fifth straight World Cup when they opened against debutants Costa Rica at Italia 90, fully expecting victory. Bora Milutinovic's side instead defended resolutely, then struck through Juan Cayasso.It helped Costa Rica qualify from the group Scotland are still waiting to do the same after eight World Cups, and will be wary of a repeat upset in this summer's opening game against Haiti.22. France 1-2 South Africa (2010)France's preparations for their final group game in 2010 weren't the best after a draw with Uruguay and loss to Mexico, Nicolas Anelka was sent home for an outburst at manager Raymond Domenech, internal strife continued, and they eventually refused to train.South Africa were the first World Cup hosts ever to fail to make it out of the group stage, but still beat Domenech's increasingly hapless side. He was sacked shortly afterwards.21. South Korea 2-0 Germany (2018)Only four years earlier, Germany had become the first European side ever to win a World Cup in the Americas, so a tournament in Europe was going to be easy, right? Wrong.In Russia, they lost to Mexico in their opener, but then beat Sweden thanks to a goal from Robbie Williams uberfan Toni Kroos.They just needed to beat South Korea to go through, but conceded twice in second-half injury time the latter to Son Heung-min, after Manuel Neuer took the sweeper-keeper thing way too far and lost possession just outside the opposition's penalty area. Mein Freund, get back in your goal!20. Spain 0-1 Switzerland (2010)Just like this year, Spain were reigning European champions and favourites to win the World Cup only for their campaign to start disastrously against Switzerland.This summer's opening opponents, Cape Verde, take note Vicente del Bosque's side had lost once in their previous 48 outings, but missed chance after chance, before Gelson Fernandes bagged the game's only goal.How did Spain respond? By winning every match thereafter and lifting the trophy. The Swiss drew with Honduras and went out in the group.19. Scotland 3-2 Netherlands (1978)The Dutch reached consecutive World Cup finals in 1974 and 1978 on the way to the latter, they succumbed to some Archie Gemmill magic.Despite Ally MacLeod's optimistic pre-tournament vows, Scotland lost to Peru and drew with Iran, but went 3-1 up against the Netherlands thanks to Kenny Dalglish, Gemmill's penalty, then the latter's wonder goal, beating three defenders and clipping in his finish.Yet Peru's win in the other game meant they needed a three-goal win Johnny Rep scored for the Dutch to end all hopes, but it's still remembered as Scotland's greatest and most unexpected win of their four World Cup triumphs.18. Romania 3-2 Argentina (1994)USA 94 started very well for Argentina when they thrashed Greece 4-0 and a hyped-up Diego Maradona almost headbutted a TV camera calm down, Diego, it's the first gameThey also beat Nigeria 2-1, but things spiralled from there Maradona failed a drugs test and was kicked out of the tournament, Bulgaria beat them in their last group game to push them down to third, then they ran into Romania.With Maradona now departed, another little left-footed maestro ran the show Gheorghe Hagi provided the ammunition for Ilie Dumitrescu's brace and bagged the third himself. It remains Romania's greatest ever victory.17. Italy 0-1 Republic of Ireland (1994)Italy had beaten Jack Charlton's men in the quarter-finals in 1990, but Ireland got some unexpected revenge in their opening game four years later.In front of 75,000 fans, many of them Irish, in New Jersey, Ray Houghton's early 25-yard effort sailed over Gianluca Pagliuca, before a 79-minute rearguard snuffed out Roberto Baggio, who was generally pretty handy that summer.Defeat against Mexico followed for the Irish, when an apoplectic John Aldridge introduced young TV viewers to several swear words they'd never heard before after not being allowed to go on as a substitute, before a draw with Norway saw Ireland through.Bizarrely, all four teams finished the group on four points and with a goal difference of zero.16. Morocco 1-0 Portugal (2022)Morocco weren't the team on everyone's lips heading into the 2022 World Cup they were history-makers by the time the tournament was done.Backed by huge numbers of travelling fans, they drew with Croatia and beat Belgium to top their group, then edged out Spain on penalties in the last 16. The latter had 77 per cent possession over the 120 minutes (which, given it was Spain, equated to approximately three million passes), but couldn't score, then missed all three of their spot-kicks.The Atlas Lions weren't done there defeating Cristiano Ronaldo & Co to become the first African nation to ever make the World Cup semi-finals. Cue CR7 being followed by a TV camera all the way to the dressing room while he cried his eyes out, which he tends to do at the end of tournaments, win or lose.When the final whistle blows on Portugal this summer, expect a drone cam within half an inch of his face to capture those tears in all their Ultra HD glory.15. Slovakia 3-2 Italy (2010)Looking back, Italy had it good when they lost to Slovakia in 2010 they were actually at the tournament, at least. Admittedly, they seemed less happy at the time the holders disappointingly drew their first two group games with Paraguay and New Zealand, but still only needed a point against Slovakia to go through.They couldn't even manage that since lifting the World Cup in 2006, they've won just one World Cup game. Yes, against England.14. Bulgaria 2-1 Germany (1994)Romania weren't the only team from Eastern Europe to thrive at USA 94 follically challenged Bulgaria did too, helped by another wizard left-footer: Hristo Stoichkov.A newly-unified German team were the holders, but all was not well Berti Vogts sent Stefan Effenberg home for flipping the bird at fans, although Lothar Matthaus beat wig-wearing goalkeeper Borislav Mihaylov to put them in front in the quarters.Stoichkov's free-kick levelled, three minutes before balding midfielder Yordan Letchkov (was 27, looked 47) directed a header off his hair island for a dramatic winner.13. Uruguay 2-1 Brazil (1950)This one is sometimes listed as the 1950 World Cup final it actually wasn't, with the winner of that tournament being whoever topped the last group stage.Sweden were playing Spain at exactly the same time, but results earlier in that four-team group ensured that only one of Uruguay and hosts Brazil could win the World Cup, with the latter needing just a draw.Officially, 173,850 people were inside the Maracana the highest attendance in football history although it was probably more than 200,000. Brazil took the lead, but Uruguay hit back via Juan Alberto Schiaffino and Alcides Ghiggia the home team's loss was so shocking that the game became infamously known as the Maracanazo.12. Spain 1-5 Netherlands (2014)When a team has won their last three major tournaments in a row, they don't expect to lose the opening match 5-1 at their next Spain hadn't conceded so many goals in a game since 1963.The Dutch, however, were out for revenge after a bad-tempered defeat in the 2010 final this time, instead of attempting to decapitate Spain's Golden Generation mid-match, they simply played them off the park in Brazil.Before the Dutch chalked up their rout, Spain had actually taken the lead through Xabi Alonso head still very much on shoulders. But a flying Robin van Persie, launched himself headlong at a diagonal ball to level the game, triggering a second-half masterclass from Arjen Robben.Unlike 2010, when Spain lost their opener but still won the World Cup, this time they were beaten by Chile in their next fixture and were done after two matches. That went well11. South Korea 2-1 Italy (2002)Even before their recent era of World Cup horrors, Italy have long been adept at cocking things up in 2002, they took it particularly badly.Despite boasting Alessandro Del Piero, Francesco Totti, Christian Vieri, Pippo Inzaghi and Vincenzo Montella, they crashed out to co-hosts South Korea in the last 16 Vieri missed a sitter after Seol Ki-hyeon's 88th-minute leveller, so the contest went to golden-goal extra-time.Totti was then sent off for an alleged dive and Italy had a winner controversially ruled out for offside, before Ahn Jung-hwan sensationally headed in for South Korea.Awkwardly, Ahn was playing for Perugia at the time and immediately had his contract cancelled the club's angry owner eventually reversed the decision, but the forward left anyway. Ecuadorian ref Byron Moreno, who was later imprisoned for drug smuggling, became Italy's enemy number one.10. West Germany 1-2 Algeria (1982)Algeria made their World Cup debut in 1982 one game in, they became the first African or Arab side ever to beat a European team at the tournament. Lakhdar Belloumi bagged the winner before they also beat Chile, but their World Cup ended in acrimony.Back then, the final group games weren't played simultaneously Austria beat Algeria and Chile, so a narrow loss to West Germany would take the two European neighbours through on goal difference.That's what happened in a game known as the Disgrace of Gijon, when neither side attacked in the final minutes. As a result, Algeria were out.9. Spain 0-1 Northern Ireland (1982)In the final group game of the 1982 tournament, Northern Ireland's narrow win over Spain also ensured both sides went through although the latter were less happy, given they were the hosts and missed out on topping the group.Playing at a first World Cup since 1958, Northern Ireland had already drawn with Yugoslavia and Honduras when Gerry Armstrong stunned the Spanish Billy Bingham's side even held out with only 10 men after Mal Donaghy was sent off.8. West Germany 3-2 Hungary (1954)A victory for the Germans wouldn't normally be considered an upset, but this is one of two that does make our list and for good reason.Ferenc Puskas' Hungary had thrashed England 6-3 at Wembley the previous November (a game dubbed Match of the Century), opened their 1954 World Cup with a 9-0 mauling of South Korea, then trounced the West Germans 8-3 in their second group game.The final was a different story. Despite going 2-0 up within just eight minutes, Hungary lost 3-2 in an upset that became known as The Miracle of Bern overshadowing most sniggering about the match being played at the Wankdorf Stadium7. Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia (2022)Where is Messi? a Saudi Arabian fan asked in a viral post-match video, as he looked around quizzically for the Argentine great.Lionel Messi had put his country ahead from the penalty spot in their opening game of the tournament, as the Copa America holders looked certainties to extend their 36-match unbeaten run they'd also had three first-half goals disallowed for offside.The Flea was nowhere to be seen after the interval, though, as Saudi Arabia ranked 51st in the world amazingly came roaring back to win thanks to Salem Al Dawsari's spectacular angled effort.Green Falcons manager Herve Renard insisted that Argentina could still win the World Cup, however, and he was right. Where is Messi? Right over there, lifting the trophy, pal.6. France 0-1 Senegal (2002)Les Bleus had won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 in 2002, they also had the top scorers in the Premier League (Thierry Henry), Serie A (David Trezeguet) and Ligue 1 (Djibril Cisse).Losing Zinedine Zidane to injury didn't help, though this was the final time the holders played the opening match rather than the hosts, and it produced an almighty upset, as Senegal were victorious on their World Cup debut.Having already agreed to join Liverpool in a move that would definitely go well, spitting sensation El Hadji Diouf ran the show and set up the only goal for Papa Bouba Diop, who sadly died in 2020, at age 42.Zidane would be rushed back for France's third match, but Roger Lemerre's side went out in the group stage without scoring a single goal.5. United States 1-0 England (1950)England didn't even bother to enter the first three World Cups, then many assumed they would just turn up and win the fourth tournament, held in Brazil. How good could these other countries possibly be?The Three Lions had some very good players, to be fair Stan Mortensen, Tom Finney, Billy Wright and Wilf Mannion among them but lost to a USA team full of part-time players, and didn't even make it out of their group.4. East Germany 1-0 West Germany (1974)The Berlin Wall had been up for 13 years when West Germany hosted the 1974 tournament they would be drawn into the same group as their East German neighbours, who were making their one and only World Cup appearance.West Germany were reigning European champions, but were stunned in their final group game in Hamburg as Jurgen Sparwasser netted with 13 minutes left on the clock.Hundreds of members of the Stasi the East German secret police were among the crowd, instructed to cheer on their side with the less than intimidating chant of 7, 8, 9, 10, Klasse [great].Less great was the next round topping the group somehow gave East Germany a tougher draw; they went out and West Germany won the World Cup.3. Argentina 0-1 Cameroon (1990)Argentina were the holders, had Diego Maradona and ended the tournament's opening game playing against nine men. Their opponents had never won a World Cup match before despite all of that, the Albiceleste still lost.Shortly after Andre Kana-Biyik had been sent off, Francois Omam-Biyik took advantage of a goalkeeping balls-up to head the game's only goal Benjamin Massing was later dismissed for nearly cutting Claudio Caniggia in half.Cameroon won the group (despite a negative goal difference, following a 4-0 loss to the Soviet Union) and made history as the first African side to reach the quarter-finals Argentina made the final, where they finished with nine men themselves. Eventful.2. North Korea 1-0 Italy (1966)The 1966 World Cup offered just one qualifying place to Africa, Asia and Oceania combined 21 countries were due to face off, but South Africa were kicked out because of apartheid, the other African sides boycotted because of the lack of an automatic spot for the continent, and South Korea withdrew for travel reasons.Only Australia and North Korea were left, with the latter reaching the tournament for the first time after two comfortable victories.Playing all three group games at Middlesbrough's Ayresome Park, they lost to the Soviets and drew with Chile, before shocking Italy the Azzurri played most of the game with 10 men after losing captain Giacomo Bulgarelli to injury, with Pak Doo-ik's goal putting North Korea into the quarter-finals.There, they even led Portugal 3-0, but Eusebio scored four and they lost 5-3.1. Brazil 1-7 Germany (2014)With hindsight, the Brazil side for the 2014 semi-final doesn't look great Hulk and Bernard on the wings, Fred up front, and that's before we even get to the defence.At the time though, they were the hosts, steeped in success, and the fevered support of a football-crazy nation made them trophy favourites. It made the 90 minutes that followed the most shocking in World Cup history without star man Neymar because of an injury sustained in the quarter-finals, they fell behind early on and capitulated, trailing 5-0 inside half an hour.If their 1950 loss to Uruguay became known as the Maracanazo, their humiliation at Belo Horizonte's Estadio Mineirao was the Mineirazo no-one who watched the game live will ever forget it.TOPICSSpainGermanyNetherlandsScotlandFranceSenegalArgentinaEnglandWorld CupWorld Cup 2026World Cup 1998World Cup 1994World Cup 1982World Cup 2010World Cup 1978World Cup 1990Chris FlanaganSocial Links NavigationSenior Staff WriterChris joined FourFourTwo in 2015 and has reported from more than 20 countries, in places as varied as Ivory Coast and the Arctic Circle. He's interviewed Pele, Zlatan and Santa Claus (it's a long story), as well as covering the World Cup, AFCON and the Clasico. He previously spent 10 years as a newspaper journalist, and completed the 92 in 2017.
