World Cup Upsets in 2026: Knockout Stage Shocks, How to Bet

This year’s FIFA World Cup edition has expanded from 32 teams to 48 teams, and the introduction of a new Round of 32 has produced more opportunities for upsets in the knockout stages.

As the campaign heads to the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final, fans and punters are witnessing a tournament where no team can afford to underestimate its opponent. Several football giants have already packed their bags and gone back home early. This shows once again that the competition remains the most unpredictable tournament in world football.

What is an upset in soccer?

An upset in soccer occurs when the team that was one of the favourites or had big chances to win the match loses to a team that was not expected to win. Normally in football, that team is called an underdog.

It’s called an upset because the team that was a favourite is strong in quality in terms of the players, form, and rankings. Most sports bookmakers, analysts, and supporters always expect that team to win. The biggest 2026 World Cup upset so far is Germany being knocked out by Paraguay.

Biggest World Cup Upsets in the 2026 Knockout Stages

The introduction of the last 32 in this year’s World Cup, currently held in North America, has seen some nations who finished third in their group qualify for the knockout stages. This new format in the campaign has pushed lower-ranked countries or underdogs to challenge the elite teams.

Some of the biggest surprises so far include:

Paraguay vs Germany

No one saw this coming. Paraguay eliminated four-time champions Germany after playing a 1-1 draw. The South American side finished third in Group D with four points, while the European heavyweights topped Group E with six points.

Coming into the match, everyone backed Die Mannschaft, who are ranked in 10^th place by FIFA, to win. But the 2014 World Cup winners were caught by surprise as 41st-ranked Paraguay won by 4-3.

Morocco vs Netherlands

The African side repeated what they did during the 2022 World Cup when they eliminated Portugal. Even though Morocco is ranked number six and the Netherlands number seven, many expected that the Atlas Lions would exit the competition.

Belgium vs Senegal

Belgium completed an incredible comeback from 2-0 down to beat Senegal 3-2 after extra time in one of the tournament’s most memorable matches.

These results showed the level of the World Cup is very competitive and that when placing a bet, you mustn’t let emotions get the better of you but rather be strategic.

Knockout Stage Format Makes Upsets More Likely

With this new format of 48 nations competing and 32 teams progressing to the knockout phases of the campaign, there is no room for error now. It’s a must-win single match to advance to the next round or lose and go home.

Knockout stages format

• Round of 32
• Round of 16
• Quarter-finals
• Semi-finals
• Third-place Playoff
• FIFA World Cup Final

Betting on World Cup Upsets with Bet.co.za

The FIFA World Cup is the biggest football competition around the globe, and Bet.co.za is offering plenty of betting markets throughout the tournament. It doesn’t matter if you back the so-called underdog teams or tipping favourites you can choose from many options.

Popular World Cup betting markets at Bet.co.za:

• Match Winner
• Double Chance
• Both Teams to Score
• Total Goals
• Correct Score
• First Goalscorer
• Anytime Goalscorer
• Half-Time/Full-Time
• Handicap Betting
• Tournament Winner
• Golden Boot Betting
• Player Specials

Betting Tips for World Cup Knockout Matches

With more games to take place in the Knockout stages of the tournament, you can still place a bet. Here are a few things to consider:

• Study recent team form during the duration of the campaign rather than relying on FIFA rankings alone.
• Look at the team’s defensive records; the knockout stages are likely to produce lower-scoring games.
• Stay updated with team news, injuries, and suspensions.
• Keep in mind that if a match ends with a draw, it goes to extra time and even a penalty shootout.

Bet on World Cup

With all the unforgettable drama that has already occurred at the World Cup, it shows why football is such a beautiful game. From the comebacks, penalty shootouts, and giant slayers, the performance has kept fans around the globe on the edge of their seats.

It’s only a few games left in the round of 32 before heading to the last 16, semifinals, and the final. Expect more shocking results with every nation looking to claim the prestigious trophy. Records will be made and some will be broken. Place a bet now with Bet.co.za.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the biggest upset of the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

The 2026 biggest upset so far is Germany being eliminated by Paraguay. In the previous edition in Qatar, it was Argentina losing to Saudi Arabia in the group stages and Morocco beating Portugal to reach the semi-finals.

Can underdogs win the FIFA World Cup?

Normally the strongest teams are the ones who always have big chances of winning the World Cup, but the history of the tournament has shown that underdogs can’t be underestimated.

Is live betting available during World Cup matches?

With Bet.co.za, you can place a live bet while the game is in action. The odds are updated in real time based on these factors’ goals, cards, substitutions, scores, and other crucial moments.

Where can I find the latest World Cup betting odds?

Bet.co.za is the right place where you can get the latest World Cup betting odds. Sometimes you can get match-boosted odds specials.

How does the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage work?

The knockout stage begins with the Round of 32, followed by the Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, the third-place play-off, and the FIFA World Cup Final. Every match is a single-elimination fixture, with extra time and penalties used if scores are level after 90 minutes.

Which teams have impressed during the World Cup knockout stages?

Several underdog nations have delivered standout performances during the knockout rounds, showing strong defensive organisation, tactical discipline, and clinical finishing against higher-ranked opponents.

What are the most popular World Cup betting markets?

The most popular betting markets include Match Winner, Double Chance, Both Teams to Score, Total Goals, Correct Score, Anytime Goalscorer, Half-Time/Full-Time, Handicap Betting, and Outright Tournament Winner.