The FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage continues to deliver drama, surprises and plenty of goals. After 48 matches, seven teams have already secured their places in the knockout stage — Argentina, Colombia, France, Germany, Mexico, Norway and the United States. Meanwhile, Haiti, Jordan, Panama, Tunisia and Turkey have been eliminated from the tournament.
One of the biggest stories so far is Lionel Messi. The Argentina captain, who turned 39 today, is playing some of the best football of the tournament and currently leads the Golden Boot race with five goals. Close behind him are France’s Kylian Mbappe and Norway’s Erling Haaland, both with four goals each.
As the final round of group-stage matches approaches, several writers shared the biggest surprises from round two and their predictions for what could happen next.
Biggest Surprises from Round Two
Open and Entertaining Football
Oliver Kay admitted he has been pleasantly surprised by how open many matches have been. Despite concerns that the expanded 48-team format could lead to one-sided games, the tournament has produced goals across the board. While there may be less pressure in some group-stage encounters, the action has been highly entertaining.
South Korea’s Disappointing Display
Jacob Whitehead was shocked by South Korea’s poor performance against Mexico. After an impressive opening match against the Czech Republic, expectations were high. Instead, South Korea struggled badly and delivered what he considers one of the weakest displays of the tournament so far.
Goalkeepers Stealing the Spotlight
Phil Hay highlighted the performances of several underrated goalkeepers. Curacao’s Eloy Room impressed against Ecuador, Iran’s Alireza Beiranvand produced a spectacular save against Belgium, and Cape Verde’s Vozinha continues to be a key figure for a side that has exceeded expectations.
Senegal’s Defensive Collapse
Carl Anka pointed to Senegal’s struggles against Norway. He believes the decision to rely on veteran defender Kalidou Koulibaly rather than introducing younger players has backfired. Senegal now needs a four-goal win over Iraq to keep its hopes alive as one of the best third-placed teams.
Curacao’s Historic Achievement
Lukas Weese chose Curacao as his biggest surprise. After suffering a heavy 7-1 defeat to Germany, few expected them to challenge Ecuador. However, they produced a determined defensive performance to earn a 0-0 draw and secure the nation’s first-ever World Cup point.
Sweden Brought Back Down to Earth
Tomás Hill López-Menchero was surprised by Sweden’s 5-1 defeat to the Netherlands. Sweden had looked impressive in their opening victory over Tunisia, but the Dutch exposed major weaknesses despite Sweden’s talented attack.
Uruguay Facing Elimination
Felipe Cardenas highlighted Uruguay’s chaotic start to the tournament. Draws against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde have left Marcelo Bielsa’s side on the edge of elimination. Few fans expected a traditional powerhouse like Uruguay to be in such danger.
Cape Verde Continues to Impress
Austin Green praised Cape Verde’s draw against Uruguay. What stood out was the team’s ability to adapt its style. Unlike their defensive effort against Spain, they attacked boldly against Uruguay and took advantage of mistakes to earn another valuable result.
Predictions for Round Three
Algeria vs Austria Could Be Full of Drama
Kay believes the Group J clash between Algeria and Austria will be one of the most intriguing matches of the round. A draw could send both teams through, but finishing third might actually offer a more favorable knockout route than finishing second.
Belgium Could Be Heading Home
Whitehead predicts Belgium may become the biggest casualty of the group stage if they fail to beat New Zealand. Such an exit could finally signal the end of the country’s famous Golden Generation era.
Cape Verde to Reach the Knockouts
Hay expects Cape Verde to continue their fairy-tale run and qualify for the last 32.
Dark Horses Emerging
Anka believes Cape Verde could become the surprise package of the entire tournament. A victory over Saudi Arabia would send shockwaves through the knockout bracket and establish them as genuine contenders.
Co-Hosts to Dominate
Weese predicts that all three co-hosts — the United States, Canada and Mexico — will finish top of their groups. If that happens, they would achieve something not seen from World Cup hosts since Brazil topped their group in 2014.
Scotland to Shock Brazil
Hill López-Menchero believes Scotland could spring one of the biggest surprises of the tournament by drawing with or even defeating Brazil. He feels Scotland has the tactical discipline to frustrate Carlo Ancelotti’s star-studded squad.
England to Prove Their Credentials
Cardenas expects England to strengthen their status as genuine title contenders. Despite defensive concerns against Croatia, he believes Thomas Tuchel’s side has the talent and experience needed to challenge for the trophy.
USA to Finish Strong
Green predicts that even a heavily rotated United States team will have enough quality to defeat a struggling Turkey side. With everything going well for the Americans so far, he expects them to finish the group stage in style.
Final Word
With just one round of group-stage matches remaining, the 2026 World Cup is already delivering unforgettable stories. Messi is chasing another major achievement, Uruguay is fighting for survival, and Cape Verde has emerged as one of the tournament’s most exciting underdog stories. The final group-stage games promise even more drama before the knockout rounds begin.