Biggest World Cup Upsets: The Most Shocking Results in History
The World Cup is where the impossible becomes possible. Underdogs rise, giants fall, and the world watches in disbelief. Here are the most shocking upsets in World Cup history.
Saudi Arabia 2-1 Argentina (2022)
The defending Copa America champions and tournament favorites were beaten by Saudi Arabia in their opening match. Argentina led 1-0 through a Messi penalty and had three goals disallowed for offside. Then Saudi Arabia scored twice in five second-half minutes with goals from Al-Shehri and Al-Dawsari. The Saudi players celebrated like they had won the World Cup. Argentina recovered to win the tournament, but this remains the biggest group-stage upset in modern history.
USA 1-0 England (1950)
The original World Cup shock. England were heavy favorites, and the USA were a team of part-time players — a mailman, a dishwasher, and a hearse driver among them. Joe Gaetjens scored the only goal, and the result was so unbelievable that some newspapers assumed it was a typo and printed the score as 10-1 to England.
North Korea 1-0 Italy (1966)
North Korea, making their World Cup debut, knocked out two-time champions Italy in the group stage. Pak Doo-Ik scored the only goal, and the Italian players were pelted with tomatoes when they returned home. It remains one of the most humiliating defeats in Italian football history.
South Korea — Semifinalists (2002)
Co-hosts South Korea beat Spain and Italy on their way to the semifinals, becoming the first Asian team to reach the last four. Their run was fueled by incredible home support, tireless running, and some controversial refereeing decisions. Regardless of the controversy, it was a historic achievement.
Germany 7-1 Brazil (2014)
Not an upset in the traditional sense — Germany were strong favorites — but the scoreline was the biggest shock in World Cup history. Brazil, playing at home in the semifinals, conceded 5 goals in 18 first-half minutes. The Mineirazo, as it became known, traumatized an entire nation and remains the most surreal result in football history.
Why upsets happen
World Cup upsets happen because of the unique pressure of tournament football. One bad day, one moment of brilliance from an underdog, one refereeing decision — and the favorite is out. The expanded 48-team format in 2026 will create even more opportunities for upsets, as more smaller nations get the chance to compete against the giants.