- BIST10012,151-0.94%
- USD49.220.00%
- EUR55.21+0.28%
- GOLD4,191.80+0.03%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN81,430-0.40%
- October 13, 202618°
- BIST10012,151-0.94%
- USD49.220.00%
- EUR55.21+0.28%
- GOLD4,191.80+0.03%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN81,430-0.40%
- October 13, 202618°
Norway Emerges as a Surprise Contender for the 2026 World Cup
Norway tops the list of surprise candidates prepared for the 2026 World Cup. The evaluation highlights Norway’s strong squad, group difficulty, and return to the major tournament.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, Norway has notably been placed first among teams that could cause surprises. The evaluation emphasized that the squad, featuring names like Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, could make a significant impact in the tournament.
Norway is preparing to participate in the World Cup for the first time since 1998. The squad also includes players like Oscar Bobb, Julian Ryerson, and Alexander Sorloth, who have gained experience in Europe’s top leagues.
Details such as Haaland’s 16 goals in the qualifiers not even reaching half of Norway’s total 37 goals in the European qualifiers indicate that the team is not reliant on a single star. It was noted that the team needs a collective performance to advance from the challenging group.
Facing opponents like France, Senegal, and Iraq, the group is considered one of the toughest matchups in the tournament. Nevertheless, Norway’s mix of young and experienced players makes it one of the teams to watch closely.
Ecuador ranks second on the list. The team, which finished second behind Argentina in the South American qualifiers, has lost only one of its last 19 matches under the management of Sebastian Beccacece.
Ecuador is portrayed as a tough and resilient team with standout players like Moises Caicedo, Piero Hincapie, and Willian Pacho. The team is considered strong enough to advance from a group that includes Germany, Ivory Coast, and Curaçao.
Among the candidates who could benefit from the home advantage, Mexico stands out. Mexico’s successes in the Gold Cup and Nations League support the view that the team is going through a strong period.
The combination of Edson Alvarez, Raul Jimenez, and young midfielder Gilberto Mora is said to add extra strength to Mexico in the tournament. It was also reminded that the team has not won a qualifying round match since 1986.
Sweden, considered one of the teams with the greatest surprise potential, is also listed. After a weak qualifying campaign, the team secured a World Cup spot through the playoffs, with Graham Potter implementing a more balanced and defense-oriented style of play.
The offensive impact of Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak is seen as a key factor that could help Sweden advance from a tough group. Their opponents include the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia.
Stay Updated with The Turkiye Times
Subscribe to be informed about special news, developments and announcements. We will keep you informed.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy
