Top 10 FIFA World Cup Upsets of All Time

The World Cup has witnessed some of the biggest upsets in World Cup history

The FIFA World Cup has maintained its stature as the biggest footballing event on the planet. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set for its newest edition, with the tournament set to get underway in less than a month.

The competition will be hosted by the USA, Mexico and Canada and is set to feature a record 48 teams for the first time.

While the World Cup has produced some of the greatest moments of the sport, it has also paved the way for some of the biggest upsets that the footballing world has seen.

Taking that into consideration, here is a list of the ten biggest upsets in World Cup history.

10 Biggest World Cup Upsets

10. Japan 2-1 Germany (2022)

In their opening fixture of the tournament, Japan captured mainstream attention after stunning four-time World Cup winners Germany.

Despite Hansi Flick’s side taking an early lead, Japan made an incredible comeback in the second half, with substitutes Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano scoring. This was Japan’s first-ever win against Germany, causing immense pressure for the German side early and ultimately leading to their elimination.

9. Cameroon 1-0 Argentina (1990)

Cameroon caused one of the biggest tournament-defining upsets, defeating the reigning world champions, Argentina side led by Diego Maradona.

The team entered the matchup without much expectation. However, Argentina were unable to beat Cameroon’s tactical discipline. François Omam-Biyik headed the winner, with Cameroon ending the game with nine players due to red cards, helping to inspire the future generations of African football.

8. Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia (2022)

Saudi Arabia shook the footballing world and inflicted one of the most unexpected World Cup results, defeating the eventual champions Argentina.

Argentina took an early lead through captain Lionel Messi. However, two magnificent goals from Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari sealed Saudi Arabia’s win. The defeat ended Argentina’s 36-match unbeaten streak across all competitions.

7. Argentina 1-1 Iceland (2018)

Before Curaçao qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Iceland held the record for the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup in terms of population.

In their first-ever game, Iceland stunned a star-studded Argentinian side led by Lionel Messi. Messi gave his side the lead through a penalty, Alfreð Finnbogason equalised four minutes later, leading to one of the biggest World Cup results in modern football.

6. North Korea 1-0 Italy (1966)

Asian side North Korea won an infamous clash against two-time World Cup champions Italy, winning 1-0. Italy were considered by many to win the game; however, an incredible 20-yard strike by Pak Doo-ik stunned the Italian players and fans, thereby eliminating the side from the tournament. The victory was crucial in providing a cult following for North Korea in England, where the competition was hosted.

5. England 0-1 USA (1950)

The 1950 World Cup has been known for producing some of the biggest upsets, with one of the major results being the USA defeating England 0-1. The United States national team, comprising part-time players who worked as dishwashers and drivers, defeated the heavyweights. Joe Gaetjens scored the only goal, causing one of the biggest sporting upsets.

4. France 0-1 Senegal (2002)

The Senegal national football team suprised the reigning champions France in the opening fixture of the 2002 World Cup. Despite France’s high-pressure tactics, Senegal broke the system, with Papa Bouba Diop scoring the winner. The result was also considered exceptional, as the fixture was Senegal’s first-ever World Cup matchup.

3. West Germany 3-2 Hungary (1954)

Widely known as the “Miracle of Bern”, West Germany defeated the tournament favourites, Hungary, in Bern, Switzerland. Hungary’s “golden generation” dominated the entire tournament until the final, even inflicting a humiliating 8-3 defeat on West Germany in the group stages. However, West Germany secured a dramatic victory in the final, winning after being 2-0 down.

2. Brazil 1-2 Uruguay (1950)

Favourites Brazil were defeated in the 1950 World Cup final at home by neighbours Uruguay. Known as “Maracanazo”, Brazil lost 1-2 in the newly constructed Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Considered one of the greatest upsets in sporting history, it left an estimated 200,000 spectators in absolute silence, becoming a national trauma for Brazilian fans.

1. Brazil 1-7 Germany (2014)

Regarding the biggest upsets of the sport, Germany inflicted one of the most humiliating results in World Cup history, defeating the tournament hosts Brazil 1-7 in the semi-finals. The German side played with absolute rampage, scoring four goals in six minutes, leading 5-0 in the 29th minute. Germany ultimately won 7-1, becoming Brazil’s biggest defeat in competition history and leaving the nation devastated.

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