By Nestor Díaz.
Throughout the history of the World Cup, UEFA and CONMEBOL have dominated the tournament, fielding top-tier teams against their Asian and African counterparts. No country from the latter group has ever “taken home the trophy.” Is there an explanation for such dominance? Some analysts attribute it to the late development of various aspects of a soccer player’s game among Asian teams or, for example, the Indomitable Lions. They lack a balance between the collective and the individual; therefore, when it comes time to play decisive matches, the collective simply doesn’t function. They can hold their own in one-on-one situations, but when it comes to making a pass or finishing, they don’t execute it successfully. That’s what they’re working on—building their confidence in crucial moments.
To win that gold trophy, it is essential to first play with a team-based defensive strategy, followed by build-up play and attack. Always work as a unit; do not let individual talents overshadow the team’s collective effort. Infrastructure and communications have advanced significantly over the past few decades in the sporting environments of continents that have not yet won the World Cup; this has narrowed the gap. Knowledge is being brought in from the Old Continent to inform practices that promise a bright future. In this 2026 World Cup, the following teams from those continents are in the running: South Africa, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Ghana, South Korea, Japan, and Saudi Arabia, among the main contenders. If there are any teams that could pull off an upset, they are Morocco, Senegal, or Japan. All three teams arrive with track records that can hold their own against anyone.
Morocco heads to the World Cup undefeated in the CAF qualifiers and having conceded just two goals. They have qualified for the third consecutive time and continue to rise. They boast an elite generation of players such as Achraf Hakimi (PSG), Brahim Díaz (Real Madrid), and Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal), who combine speed, power, and technical skill—qualities that are essential in today’s matches. In the previous World Cup, they finished in fourth place; it’s not far-fetched to think they might give the Europeans and South Americans a run for their money this time around. Senegal is a two-time African Cup of Nations champion. They boast players in their ranks with qualities similar to those of “the Lions of the Atlas” (Sadio Mané, Al-Nassr FC; Koulibaly, Al-Hilal; Nicolas Jackson, Chelsea). They are natural sprinters; they are focused not only on knocking out France or Norway (Group I), but on claiming glory.
For its part, Japan made a splash in the “Group of Death” at the 2022 World Cup, decisively defeating Germany and Spain and knocking the Germans out of the tournament. Their squad is packed with stars who shine at prestigious European clubs; tactical discipline is their main strength. The Land of the Rising Sun boasts, for example, an offensive leader in 24-year-old midfielder Takefusa Kubo, one of Europe’s most dangerous wingers with Real Sociedad. Also noteworthy is the leadership of their captain and defensive midfielder Wataru Endo, and the legendary fullback Yuto Nagatomo (39), who has set an unprecedented record (first Asian player to compete in five World Cups). No big deal.
Today, there are reasons to believe in a feat by the Africans and Asians. Why not a pleasant surprise or “an upset”? Call it what you will. This is soccer. Cross it into the box and the ball is yours!
