Will Sweden or Norway shock the World Cup 2026 and reach the quarterfinals?

The expanded 48-team format has brought a wave of returning and emerging nations into the tournament. Teams like Sweden and Norway are back after long absences, while others arrive with strong qualifying momentum. At the same time, traditional powers such as Brazil, France, and England remain dominant. This mix increases unpredictability. More teams mean more stylistic clashes and a higher chance for surprise results, especially in the group stage and early knockout rounds. However, deep tournament runs still tend to favor experienced, elite squads. Upsets are likely—but sustained success from newcomers is harder to achieve. The most realistic scenario is an increase in notable upsets, particularly in the early stages, without a complete disruption of the traditional power structure.