Three days into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the script is already coming apart. Across North America, teams that were expected to absorb their group-stage losses quietly are refusing to play along. A few sides already look capable of going much further than predicted. Others have not yet kicked a ball, but they arrive with enough momentum to make the favorites nervous.
Here in Costa Rica, the World Cup is still a social event, even after La Sele missed out on the tournament. In the cantina in my neighborhood, there are Ticos, Nicas, Venezuelans, Gringos, Somalis, Cubans, Peruvians, Panamanians and Europeans from all over packed into a small space, and everyone gets along. The television stream buffers at the worst possible moments, because of course it does. That is part of watching football here too.
The most dramatic early statement came from Qatar. The 2022 host nation left its own tournament without winning a single game, but it opened this World Cup by taking a point from Switzerland in Group B. Switzerland had controlled long stretches of the match and looked set for a routine win before Qatar found a late equalizer deep into stoppage time.
That result did more than change one scoreline. It changed the mood of the group. Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Switzerland and Qatar all came out of the first round of matches with one point, leaving Group B wide open from the start.
The United States made the loudest early statement. The co-hosts were expected to be strong at home, but few predicted a 4-1 win over Paraguay. This was not a fluke against a soft opponent. Paraguay came through South American qualifying after beating both Brazil and Argentina during the campaign, yet the Americans pulled them apart in Los Angeles.
Folarin Balogun scored twice, Christian Pulisic was sharp before leaving at halftime with a calf concern, and Gio Reyna added a late finish to close the night. The U.S. looked like a team that belongs on this stage, not one simply enjoying the benefits of hosting.
South Korea delivered another of the tournament’s early warnings. Down against Czechia, the Koreans came back to win 2-1, with Hwang In-beom at the center of the match. He scored the equalizer and set up Oh Hyeon-gyu for the winner. South Korea have a long history of being uncomfortable World Cup opponents, and this version looks technically sharp, organized and dangerous enough to create problems in the knockout rounds.
Morocco’s 1-1 draw with Brazil may have been the most important early result of all. Brazil entered as one of the tournament’s title favorites and still have the individual quality to win any match. But Morocco did not look intimidated. They took the lead through Ismael Saibari, forced Brazil to chase the game and left with a point after Vinicius Junior pulled the five-time champions level.
This is not a one-tournament miracle anymore. Morocco reached the semifinals in Qatar in 2022 and now look capable of backing it up. They are organized, calm under pressure and comfortable playing against the biggest names in the sport. Group C suddenly looks far less predictable.
Then there is Ivory Coast. The Elephants have not appeared at a World Cup since Brazil 2014, but they arrive in North America as one of the most dangerous teams outside the usual favorite list. Their transformation under Emerse Fae began in extraordinary circumstances at the Africa Cup of Nations, when he took over during the tournament with the team close to elimination. Ivory Coast then completed one of international football’s great turnarounds, beating Nigeria in the final.
They also arrive with a recent warning shot. In their final stretch before the World Cup, Ivory Coast beat France 2-1, with Amad Diallo scoring the winner. That is not the kind of result any favorite can ignore. They open Group E against Ecuador on June 14, with Germany the headline name in the group. Ivory Coast may not get the attention Germany gets, but they have the players and belief to make the group uncomfortable.
Panama carry a different kind of story. This is only their second World Cup, and their draw did them no favors. Group L includes England, Croatia and Ghana, which is enough to make many observers dismiss Panama before a ball is kicked.
That would be a mistake. Panama are Central America’s strongest current team, reached this World Cup with real conviction and have become far more disciplined under Thomas Christiansen. They defend with structure, play with edge and know how to drag opponents into difficult matches.
Their opener against Ghana on June 17 is far from a formality. Ghana will be dangerous, but Panama will not arrive as tourists. A positive result there would send a jolt through a group many people have already written off as a European-controlled race.
This is what expanded World Cups can do. With 48 teams and 12 groups, the tournament has more room for surprises and less room for complacency. The traditional powers still have the stars, history and depth. But the early days have already shown that reputation will not win matches by itself.
Qatar have already reminded everyone that a late goal counts the same no matter who scores it. South Korea and Morocco have shown that discipline and belief can tilt a match. The United States have turned home pressure into a statement. Ivory Coast and Panama now get their turn to prove that a team does not need a long World Cup history to become a real problem.
