The biggest underdog stories throughout World Cup history
90% of the time, a highly experienced, dominant nation is expected to win the World Cup. 10% of the time, an underdog comes around, spoiling the fun for the expected winner but also giving the world a team to root for — a team with little World Cup experience to prove everyone wrong.
From Costa Rica’s 2014 World Cup squad to South Korea in 2002, here are eight of the biggest underdog stories throughout World Cup history.
Morocco 2022
While the world often looks to Europe or South America for what the best soccer country is, many discount African nations, and Morocco’s 2022 World Cup run changed that forever.
During their group stages, Morocco was up against Canada, Luka Modrić’s Croatia and Belgium’s golden generation. Despite the odds of going up against European heavyweights, Morocco topped their group. But many didn’t think they’d go further than the Round of 16.
Morocco shocked the world when it beat the 2010 World Cup champions, Spain, in penalties. It’s tight defense and midfield made the champions unconvincing. However, Morocco’s quarterfinal win against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal was the cherry on top. With the world set on seeing Ronaldo finally pick up his World Cup trophy, Morocco spoiled the party after a goal from Youssef En-Nesyri.
Despite losing to France in the semifinals, Morocco became a beloved story of the 2022 World Cup, changing how people viewed soccer abilities in African nations.
Costa Rica 2014
When the group stage matches were set for the 2014 World Cup, Group D was labeled the tournament’s group of death — Italy, Uruguay, England and Costa Rica. Out of the four, many believed Costa Rica got the short end of the stick. However, the tiny Central American country proved the world wrong.
By the end of the group stage, Costa Rica topped the group ahead of the three World Cup champions. It sent shockwaves around the world as everyone underestimated Costa Rica. Though Costa Rica was eliminated in the quarterfinals by the Netherlands, the country became one of the World Cup’s biggest underdog stories.
Key players like goalkeeper Keylor Navas were integral in allowing the biggest strikers in the world to score a goal, while captain Bryan Ruiz led the nation to its historic run.
Curaçao 2026
FIFA’s new World Cup format allowed 48 countries to compete rather than its previous 32-team format. This would pave the way for more countries to compete, including the smallest nation in World Cup history, Curaçao. An island country with a population of 165,000, everyone was drawn to Curaçao right from the get-go, given the odds they were able to beat. Despite their 7-1 blowout loss against Germany, the whole rooting for the goal they were able to score against the European giants.
However, in their game against Ecuador, the nation managed to secure a draw with its goalkeeper Eloy Roome, playing a monumental role in the draw. Recording 15 saves, Roome became the second-highest goalkeeper with the most saves in World Cup history. Despite their ultimate loss to Côte d’Ivoire, the new record put Curaçao on the map.
Senegal 2002
Qualifying for their first-ever World Cup, Senegal had a lot to prove, and they did just that in their win against the reigning champions, France. Senegal faced France’s prized possession, Zinedine Zidane, and managed to defy the odds.
Senegal’s star quality continued in their draws against Denmark and Uruguay, where they accumulated enough points to move on to the Round of 16. Though Senegal lost in the quarterfinal to Turkey, their World Cup run was one to remember. While Morocco’s 2022 run made the world take African soccer seriously, it was Senegal that put the continent on the map.
South Korea 2002
Though South Korea was automatically qualified for hosting the World Cup in 2002, the nation was still impressive throughout its tournament run when it reached the semifinal stage — a feat no Asian country has ever accomplished.
After topping their group, South Korea defeated Italy in a controversial 2-1 win. A world-renowned defensive team, South Korea managed to break Italy’s tough backline to move on to the quarterfinals against Spain. South Korea held a deadlock up until the very end, where they defeated Spain 5-3 in penalties before losing to Germany in the semifinal.
South Korea’s World Cup campaign was not only historic but groundbreaking, as South Korea’s dominance proved that Asian countries should also be taken seriously in soccer.
Japan 2022
The 2022 World Cup saw Japan placed in the group of death — but this wasn’t an issue for the nation.
Japan went up against Costa Rica, as well as World Cup champions Germany and Spain. In their first game against Germany, Japan was trailing behind before two late goals to seal their fate. Despite losing to Costa Rica, Japan rallied for its game against Spain.
Their match against Spain proved to be the most pivotal. Once again trailing behind, Japan scored two goals to win the game. However, it was the second goal by Ao Tanaka that brought Japan to second place, eliminating Germany from the group stages.
The world was stunned by the final results of the group, and we have Japan’s impressive run to thank for giving the world an entertaining group to watch.
Croatia 2018
While Croatia has slowly made a name for itself in the World Cup throughout the years, it proved its dominance in 2018.
After coasting through their group stage matches, Croatia made the whole world hold their breath in their Round of 16 and quarterfinal matches as the country dragged it out to a penalty shootout in both games, where the country successfully managed.
In their semifinal game against England, many thought Croatia’s luck would run out when England took the lead. However, two goals by Ivan Perišić and Mario Mandžukić proved Croatia wasn’t lucky; they were a force to be reckoned with.
Despite losing the final game to France, Croatia gave the world something to root for. While French fans were rooting for their country, the rest of the world rooted for the underdog, giving us a Cinderella story to remember.
North Korea 1966
Upon the 1966 World Cup, no one knew how North Korea fared in soccer. None of their players played soccer as a profession; instead, they had regular civilian jobs, which made North Korea’s World Cup run so memorable.
When North Korea lost to the Soviet Union and tied with Chile, North Korea needed to win its final group stage game. However, everyone thought North Korea would falter — they were playing against Italy, who were the favorites to win the entire tournament.
North Korea proved everyone wrong as the nation beat Italy 1-0 after a goal by dentist and army corporal Pak Doo-ik. Though North Korea’s World Cup run ended in the quarterfinals, the country became one of the biggest underdog stories in World Cup history.
Wrap Up
While everyone buzzes on about who will win the biggest tournament in the world, there are bigger stories to be told. Everyone loves an underdog, and these nations proved why underdogs are the best storylines to follow along, etching their names in World Cup history.
Related:
- World Cup 101: The games, players and storylines you can’t miss
- The World Cup’s most heartwarming viral fan moments
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