Brazil v Haiti, Spain v Cabo Verde and more: the biggest ranking mismatches of the 2026 World Cup group stage

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will become the first tournament in history to feature 48 national teams. The expanded format has opened the door for several debutants and lower-ranked sides to test themselves against some of world football’s biggest names already in the group stage.

On paper, some of these fixtures look like classic David versus Goliath matchups. In certain games, the gap between the teams in the FIFA ranking reaches as many as 77 places. Among the favourites looking to avoid major upsets are Brazil, England, Spain, Germany and Belgium.

However, World Cup history has repeatedly shown that ranking and favourite status do not guarantee victory. Saudi Arabia’s win over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, Cameroon’s sensational victory against defending world champions Argentina in 1990, and North Korea’s historic triumph over Italy in 1966 are all reminders of that.

Brazil v Haiti: 77-place gap

The biggest ranking gap of the group stage will come in the match between Brazil and Haiti. Five-time world champions Brazil are ranked 6th in the FIFA ranking, while Haiti sit 83rd. The teams will meet on June 19 at the stadium in Philadelphia in Group C.

For Haiti, reaching the World Cup finals is already a major achievement. The national team has returned to football’s biggest tournament for the first time since 1974. Back then, Haiti were remembered for Emmanuel Sanon’s goal against Italy, which ended legendary goalkeeper Dino Zoff’s record clean-sheet run of 1,142 minutes.

Brazil will, of course, be the clear favourites, but the Seleção also know the price of World Cup shocks. Their history includes painful defeats, from the “Maracanazo” against Uruguay in the 1950 World Cup final to the 7-1 loss to Germany in the semi-final of their home tournament in 2014.

Belgium v New Zealand: 76-place gap

Another striking example of a major ranking mismatch is the Group G match between Belgium and New Zealand. The game will take place on June 26 in Vancouver. Belgium are ranked 9th in the world, while New Zealand are 85th.

Interestingly, these two teams have never met before at senior men’s international level. For New Zealand, this will be a return to the World Cup after a long absence: the All Whites last played at the tournament in 2010, when they left unbeaten after draws against Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay.

Belgium remain one of Europe’s strongest national teams, although the side is already going through a generational transition after the era of its “golden generation.” At the same time, the Belgians also know what it feels like to become victims of an upset: at the 2022 World Cup, they lost to Morocco and failed to get out of the group.

Germany v Curaçao: 72-place gap

The Group E match between Germany and Curaçao will be a special one for the Caribbean side. For Curaçao, it will be their first-ever game at a World Cup. The match will be played on June 14 in Houston.

Germany are ranked 10th by FIFA and remain one of the most decorated national teams in the world. Curaçao are 82nd and have already made history as the smallest country by population ever to qualify for the World Cup finals.

For Germany, this tournament will be an attempt to restore their status after disappointing campaigns at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. However, even Germany are not immune to major shocks: in 1982, they lost to Algeria, and in 2018 they were beaten by South Korea, failing to progress from the World Cup group stage for the first time in their history.

England v Ghana: 69-place gap

England and Ghana will meet on June 23 in Boston in Group L. England are 4th in the FIFA ranking and are considered among the tournament favourites. Ghana are ranked 73rd.

England and Ghana have never met before in a competitive senior international match. Their only meeting took place in a 2011 friendly at Wembley and ended in a 1-1 draw. Andy Carroll scored for England, while Ghana responded with a late goal from Asamoah Gyan.

The Ghana national team has already proved that it can surprise at the World Cup. In 2010, the Black Stars reached the quarter-finals and came very close to a historic semi-final appearance. England also remember their painful setbacks well, from the defeat to the USA at the 1950 World Cup to their elimination against Iceland at UEFA EURO 2016.

Spain v Cabo Verde: 65-place gap

Spain and Cabo Verde will meet on June 15 in Atlanta in Group H. It will be the first-ever head-to-head meeting between the two national teams. Spain are ranked 2nd by FIFA and enter the tournament as reigning European champions. Cabo Verde are 67th and will be making their World Cup debut.

Spain have one of the most talented generations in world football, with Lamine Yamal, Pedri and other stars standing out. However, Cabo Verde have made significant progress in recent years and have become one of Africa’s most dangerous teams among those often underestimated.

At the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Cabo Verde defeated Ghana and Mozambique and also drew with Egypt. In qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, the team managed to beat Cameroon, which became one of the key results on their road to a historic place at the tournament.

The 2026 World Cup could deliver new sensations

The expanded World Cup format makes the tournament even more unpredictable. For the favourites, these matches will be a test of concentration; for debutants and underdogs, they will be a chance to write themselves into history.

Brazil, Spain, England, Germany and Belgium will be clear favourites in their respective matches. But it is often exactly these games that become the main stories of World Cups when a lower-ranked team finds a way to challenge a giant.

The 2026 World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico and already promises to become the biggest tournament in the history of world football.