FIFA WORLD CUP 2026: The Ups and The Downs

This World Cup has been a roller coaster full of surprises as some of the favorites have been eliminated and underdogs coming out on top. But there have been plenty of things that we have watched so far that make us cheer with joy or accept disappointment. Here are the ups and downs of the 2026 North America World Cup, along with standout performances from players: 

The Ups: 

• France is a standout due to their strong defense and consistent performances on the field, making them the favorite to win the title this year. They currently have 13 goals over the course of their 5 games played with four of those games being shutouts. One of the golden boot leaders, Kylian Mbappé, has 7 of those goals and two assists. 

• For the first time, Norway has made it to the quarterfinals with impressive victories over Ivory Coast and stunning the world with their 2-1 victory over Brazil—one of the favorites of the title. Earling Haaland, the leading scorer for the team, had a brace during the Brazil game, and is also one of the top goal scorers of the tournament. 

• Morocco is continuing to impress with wins over the Netherlands and Canada, cementing them as one of the biggest success stories. The primary reason why they are hailed as a success story is because they have become the first African nation to reach back-to-back quarterfinals. 

• Clean defense and tactical discipline has gained Spain a spot in the quarter finals. Through their 5 games played they have not allowed a single goal to enter their net. Against Australia, they didn’t allow a single shot on target and unloaded 23 shots against their opponent with a 3-0 victory. 

The Downs: 

• The United States lost 4-1 to Belgium as their defense was exposed. They became the third and final host nation to be eliminated

• Germany was unexpectedly eliminated in shootouts by Paraguay. A defeat no one saw coming. 

• Portugal was unable to break through and were eventually eliminated after struggling to create scoring chances for themselves. 

• All the host teams (USA, Canada, and Mexico) for the FIFA World Cup 2026 have been eliminated right before the quarter finals. 

Player Standouts:

• Erling Haaland of Norway was the hero of Norway’s victory over Brazil because he scored both goals for his country to enter the quarterfinals. He now has 7 total goals in the tournament.

• Leading England’s mid-field with authority, Jude Bellingham scored twice against Mexico in a dramatic victory. 

• Charles De Ketelaere of Belgium had a standout performance in the tournament with two goals and an assist against the United States. 

There is still plenty of time left for drama, controversy, and surprises in the final rounds of the tournament. From what we’ve seen so far, it’s anyone's game in the end. Watch along with us as we see who comes out on top and the anticipation for the games leading us into the finals.