2026 World Cup upsets began Monday when three pre-tournament favorites failed to reach the round of 16, as Germany and the Netherlands were both eliminated on penalties and Japan fell to Brazil with a stoppage-time winner, according to FIFA match reports.
Japan took the lead against Brazil through a 29th minute strike by midfielder Kaishu Sano, and held that advantage deep into the second half, according to the FIFA match report. Brazil tied the game in the 56th minute when veteran Casemiro finished at the far post from Gabriel’s cross, and the match looked headed for extra time until Brazil substitute Gabriel Martinelli converted a Bruno Guimaraes through pass in the fifth minute of stoppage time to win 2 to 1. The match report noted Japan finished with 31 percent possession and an expected goals total of 0.33, underscoring how disciplined defending and quick counterattacks carried them to a lead against a team that has won the World Cup four times.
Germany, one of the tournament favorites, dominated possession against Paraguay but could not convert control into a win, the FIFA match report said. Germany held 76 percent possession and had 13 shots, yet the match finished 1 to 1 after extra time and went to a penalty shootout. Paraguay advanced after a 4 to 3 result in the shootout, ending Germany’s unbeaten penalty record at the World Cup in shootout finals, FIFA reported.
The match saw Julio Enciso score on a counter for Paraguay in the 42nd minute and Kai Havertz equalize for Germany in the 54th minute. In the shootout, Germany’s Kai Havertz missed his first attempt and later Jonathan Tah sent his attempt over the bar, while Paraguay converted four of six kicks to seal the victory. FIFA’s report highlighted that Germany had previously won all four World Cup penalty shootouts it had contested, making this defeat historic for the side.
The Netherlands and Morocco, both top ten teams in the FIFA rankings, played a tightly contested match that also went to penalties, according to FIFA. Cody Gakpo broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute with a quick finish after a Crysencio Summerville cross, but Morocco equalized in stoppage time when defender Issa Diop headed in to force extra time. Neither side scored in extra time, and Morocco won the shootout 3 to 2 after Morocco goalkeeper Bono saved a decisive penalty and Ismael Saibari calmly converted his kick.
The Netherlands continued a frustrating pattern of missed spot kicks in knockout games, with key penalties saved or missed at decisive moments. FIFA match commentary noted that the outcome extends a long record of penalty drama for the Dutch in World Cup elimination matches going back to 1998. Morocco advances, while the Netherlands depart the tournament in another of the day’s headline 2026 World Cup upsets.
Across the three matches, the combination of tight defending, late goals, and penalty drama produced a day of shocks that will reshape the knockout phase, FIFA said in its summaries. Japan’s narrow loss to Brazil was widely described as brave and professionally disciplined, even in defeat. Meanwhile, Germany and the Netherlands exit leaves the bracket more open and marks a defining moment among the early 2026 World Cup upsets.
For Japan, the defeat continues a sequence of early knockout exits at the World Cup, and fans will now wait four more years for a chance to change that trend. For European football, the double elimination of Germany and the Netherlands on the same day represents an unexpected turning point, and sets the stage for a tournament in which a wider group of nations may compete for the title, FIFA analysis concluded.