5 Football Giants Facing Early World Cup 2026 Elimination: V9BET

Author V9Bet

13 Jun 2026

World Cup 2026 shock predictions! Explore V9BET's deep data analysis on why 5 major football giants are facing high risks of being eliminated early.

World Cup 2026 Predictions: 5 Giants That Could Be Eliminated Early

The World Cup has always been a tournament of surprises. Before the ball even rolls, most fans focus on the question of who will win. However, for experienced bettors, the more important question is often: Which big team is being overrated?

World Cup history has shown that reputation does not guarantee success. Germany won in 2014 but were eliminated in the group stage in 2018. France won in 1998 but exited at the group stage in 2002. Belgium were ranked number one by FIFA for years but could not get past the group stage at the 2022 World Cup.

The 2026 World Cup, hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, will be even more unpredictable. The reason lies in the new World Cup 2026 format with 48 teams participating, the number of matches increasing from 64 to 104, and the first-ever appearance of the World Cup 2026 Round of 32.

For bettors, this is an opportunity to find value in less popular markets. Instead of chasing favourites with low odds, many professional bettors look for signs of crisis, generational transition, or psychological pressure to identify potential disappointments.

Which Teams Are at the Highest Risk of Early Elimination at World Cup 2026?

Quick Answer

Based on current form, squad age, media pressure, and the impact of the new World Cup 2026 format, the five most notable teams are:

England
Belgium
Netherlands
Croatia
USA

These are all teams with great reputations but existing issues that could cause them problems at the tournament.

Key Takeaways

The new World Cup 2026 format increases the risk of surprises.
The World Cup 2026 Round of 32 adds another obstacle for the giants.
Many teams are being priced higher than their true value by the market.
Bettors should focus on value bets rather than just picking famous teams.
Long-term winner markets need to be evaluated more carefully before betting.

Team	Early Exit Risk	Level
England	Title pressure	High
Belgium	Generational transition	Very High
Netherlands	Lack of consistency	High
Croatia	Aging squad	Very High
USA	Host nation pressure	High

Why Does the New World Cup 2026 Format Make Giants More Vulnerable?

Does the New World Cup 2026 Format Really Create More Surprises?

Quick Answer

Yes. This World Cup has the potential to produce the most shocks in modern history.

As the number of teams increases from 32 to 48, the quality between groups becomes uneven. However, that does not mean the giants will advance easily. On the contrary, they will have to play more matches, face a tighter schedule, and have more opportunities to make mistakes.

Quick Summary

48 teams participating.
12 groups.
104 matches.
There is a World Cup 2026 Round of 32.
Significantly increased chance of surprises.

Criteria	World Cup 2022	World Cup 2026
Number of teams	32	48
Number of groups	8	12
Matches	64	104
First knockout round	Round of 16	Round of 32

The World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Is a New "Trap"

Many people think the Round of 32 will help strong teams advance more easily.

But that is not entirely true. Previously, a group winner only had to prepare for the Round of 16. Now they have to play an additional knockout match. Every knockout match is 90 minutes full of risk. Just one red card. Just one defensive mistake. Just one penalty shootout.

An entire campaign can end.

This is why many experts believe the World Cup 2026 will see more big teams at risk of early elimination than in previous tournaments.

Lessons from World Cup History

Major shocks often happen when fans believe a strong team "cannot lose".
That is precisely when the market misprices them.
That is also where professional bettors look for profit.

Big Team at Risk of Early Exit #1: England

Why Is England Always Rated Higher Than Their Actual Strength?

Quick Answer

England have one of the strongest squads in the world. However, they also face the biggest media pressure and often fail to meet expectations at critical moments.

Quick Summary

Extremely strong squad.
Bellingham is a top star.
Kane turns 33.
Huge title expectations.
Betting value is often lower than reality.

Criteria	Rating
Squad quality	9/10
Experience	8/10
Media pressure	10/10
Betting value	6/10
Risk of early exit	High

Is Jude Bellingham Being Overhyped?

Jude Bellingham is the new heartbeat of the England team.

But the World Cup is not the Champions League.

The pressure at an international tournament is completely different.

The English have placed similar expectations on:

Wayne Rooney
Steven Gerrard
Frank Lampard
Harry Kane

The final results were not as expected.

That does not mean Bellingham will fail.

But it shows that the pressure of a national team can sometimes be greater than any individual's ability.

Harry Kane and the Age Problem

Kane still scores very regularly.

But the 2026 World Cup will be a longer tournament with more matches and higher physical demands.

A 33-year-old striker will find it hard to maintain his movement intensity throughout the tournament.

If Kane's form declines, England will struggle greatly to break down deep-defending teams.

Perspective from V9BET Bettors

According to experience from the Vietnamese betting community, England are one of the teams that cause players to lose the most money in major tournaments.

The reason is very simple:

It is not that England are weak.

It is that the market consistently overrates England.

Many people bet on England to win the title simply because they love the team.

Meanwhile, the actual odds are no longer attractive.

Expert Conclusion

England are capable of winning the title.

But from an investment perspective, they are the big team most at risk of early elimination if they fall into a difficult bracket or face psychological pressure.

Big Team at Risk of Early Exit #2: Belgium

Is Belgium Entering a Period of Decline?

Quick Answer

Belgium once had the strongest golden generation in their history, but they are now facing a difficult transition process.

This is why many experts have included them in the group of big teams at risk of early elimination at World Cup 2026.

Quick Summary

The golden generation is almost over.
Lack of a star to replace De Bruyne.
The squad lacks depth.
Recent performances are unconvincing.

Period	Achievement
2014	Quarter-finals
2018	Third place
2022	Group stage
2026	Big question mark

After Kevin De Bruyne, Who?

This is a question the Belgians still have not answered.

De Bruyne has been the brain of the team for nearly a decade.

But by the 2026 World Cup, he will no longer be at his peak.

Meanwhile, the next generation has yet to prove they can replace him.

Lesson from World Cup 2022

Belgium entered the 2022 World Cup as a top contender.

The result?

They were eliminated in the group stage.

Many bettors lost money because they trusted reputation too much.

This is a classic example of a strong team not always being a good betting choice.

Betting Perspective

If Belgium continue to be priced by the market as a title or semi-final contender, bettors should be cautious.

Their true value could be significantly lower than public perception.

Expert Conclusion

Belgium are the team most likely to disappoint at World Cup 2026 if the generational transition does not go smoothly.

Big Team at Risk of Early Exit #3: Netherlands

Are the Netherlands Being Overrated?

Quick Answer

The Netherlands have always been the most unpredictable team among the European giants.

They can beat any opponent.

But they can also be eliminated by a lower-rated team.

Quick Summary

Quality defence.
Lack of a world-class striker.
Dependent on tactical system.
Lack of consistency.

Aspect	Rating
Defence	Strong
Midfield	Good
Attack	Average
Consistency	Medium
Risk of early exit	High

The Netherlands' Biggest Problem

Unlike England or France, the Netherlands do not have a superstar attacker capable of deciding a match at any moment.

In big matches, they often struggle when opponents defend in numbers.

This has been an ongoing issue for years.

Bettor's Perspective

Many people like to bet on the Netherlands to win by a big margin.

But in reality, this team often wins by narrow scorelines.

That is why deep handicaps on the Netherlands often carry hidden risk.

Expert Conclusion

If drawn in a tough group or faced with an effective defensive counter-attacking opponent, the Netherlands could easily become the victim of a major shock at World Cup 2026.

Big Team at Risk of Early Exit #4: Croatia

Why Is Croatia Still Considered a Candidate for a Shock Exit?

Quick Answer

Croatia have been one of the most successful teams in the last two World Cups. However, the 2026 World Cup may be when that successful cycle ends. Squad age, the departure of a golden generation, and a gruelling schedule are factors that make Croatia one of the most notable big teams at risk of early elimination.

Quick Summary

The golden generation is gradually ending.
Luka Modric is no longer at his peak.
Lack of suitable replacements.
Difficult to maintain intensity in a 104-match tournament.

Luka Modric Cannot Carry the Team Forever

For more than a decade, Luka Modric has been the symbol of Croatian football.

He helped Croatia to:

World Cup runners-up in 2018.
Third place in 2022.
Constantly compete with the European giants.

However, the 2026 World Cup will almost certainly not feature Modric at his peak.

This is the biggest problem.

Croatia are not just losing a midfielder.

They are losing:

The spiritual leader.
The tempo controller.
The most experienced player.

The New World Cup 2026 Format Disadvantages Croatia

One factor rarely mentioned is the new World Cup 2026 format.

Croatia have traditionally succeeded because of:

Tactical discipline.
Experience.
Match control.

But when the tournament becomes longer and the number of matches increases, physical fitness becomes extremely important.

Younger teams like:

France
England
Portugal
USA

have a much greater advantage in speed and playing intensity.

Perspective from V9BET Bettors

According to experience from the Vietnamese betting community, Croatia have often been a profitable team at World Cups.

The reason is that they have often been underrated.

But 2026 may be different.

If the market still prices Croatia based on their 2018 and 2022 success, bettors need to be cautious.

Expert Conclusion

Croatia are still a difficult team to play against.

But this could be the first World Cup in many years where they no longer have the strength to cause a surprise.

This is why Croatia appear in the World Cup 2026 predictions: 5 giants that could be eliminated early.

Big Team at Risk of Early Exit #5: USA

Is Home Advantage Really an Advantage?

Quick Answer

The USA are hosts of the 2026 World Cup, but that does not mean they will go deep. World Cup history shows that home pressure can sometimes be a double-edged sword.

Quick Summary

Home advantage.
Very high media pressure.
Lack of experience in major knockout matches.
Currently being rated highly by the media.

Criteria	USA
Home advantage	10/10
World Cup experience	6/10
Squad depth	6/10
Media pressure	9/10
Risk of early exit	High

Lesson from Qatar 2022

Before the 2022 World Cup, many believed Qatar would capitalise on home advantage.

The result?

Qatar became the first host nation in history to lose all three group matches.

Of course, the USA are much stronger than Qatar.

But this example shows that:

Home advantage does not guarantee success.

Are the USA Being Overhyped?

The current USA generation has many players competing in Europe.

This has led many to believe they are ready to compete with the giants.

But the reality is:

Lack of World Cup experience.
Not many achievements at major tournaments.
Yet to prove their mettle against strong opponents.

Betting Perspective

The USA are a team that is easily hyped in the market.

Especially when the tournament is played on home soil.

Many bettors may bet emotionally rather than based on data.

This is something professional bettors usually avoid.

Expert Conclusion

The USA have the potential to go far.

But they also risk early elimination if they cannot handle the host nation pressure.

The Biggest World Cup Shocks in History and Lessons for Bettors

Why Does History Keep Repeating Itself?

Quick Answer

The World Cup is a tournament where reputation is often overvalued.

Big teams always receive support from the public.

That is also why the market often prices them higher than their true value.

The Biggest Shocks

Year	Team	Result
2002	France	Group stage exit
2010	Italy	Group stage exit
2014	Spain	Group stage exit
2018	Germany	Group stage exit
2022	Belgium	Group stage exit

The result?

Germany were eliminated in the group stage.

Those who bet on reputation paid a heavy price.

Lessons for World Cup 2026

Do not ask:

Which team is strongest?

Instead ask:

Which team is being overrated?

That is the mindset of a professional bettor.

Tips for Betting on World Cup 2026 at V9BET When Giants Are in Crisis

How to Find Value Bets from the Giants

Quick Answer

When the market has too much faith in a big team, odds often fall below true value.

That is an opportunity to find value on the opposite side.

Markets to Watch

World Cup winner market.
To qualify from the group stage.
To reach the quarter-finals.
To be eliminated early.
Match-by-match markets.

Bankroll Strategy Reference

Total Bankroll	Long-term Markets	Match Markets	Reserve
1 million	20%	60%	20%
5 million	25%	50%	25%
10 million	30%	40%	30%

Common Mistakes

Many beginners often:

Bet emotionally.
Go all-in on their favourite team.
Do not monitor odds movements.

These are the three biggest causes of loss in major tournaments.

V9BET Promotions for World Cup 2026

Players should regularly check the official promotions page for the latest offers.

Some common promotion types include:

New member welcome bonus.
Deposit bonuses.
Sports cashback.
Major tournament events.
Loyalty rewards for regular players.

View now: Promotions Page

Important Note

Promotions are support tools.

Do not increase your stake just because you have a bonus.

Always read the terms and wagering requirements carefully before participating.

FAQ – World Cup 2026 Predictions

Which big team is most at risk of early elimination at World Cup 2026?

Based on current data, Belgium and Croatia have the highest risk due to their generational transition.

Does the new World Cup 2026 format increase the chance of surprises?

Yes. Expanding to 48 teams and adding the World Cup 2026 Round of 32 significantly increases the number of matches and creates more opportunities for shocks.

Are England a title contender?

Yes. However, they are also a team that is frequently overrated by the market.

Do the USA have a big advantage from being hosts?

They have an advantage, but the media pressure and performance expectations are also very high.

Do Croatia still have the strength to cause a surprise?

Croatia are still a tough opponent, but they are no longer at their strongest level as in 2018 or 2022.

Is it a good idea to bet on the winner early?

It can be, but only allocate a small portion of your bankroll to long-term markets.

Which markets are most suitable for the World Cup?

To qualify from the group and to reach the quarter-finals often offer better value than the winner market.

Where can I follow the World Cup on V9BET?

Players can follow it at BTI Sports, SABA Sports, and other continuously updated World Cup betting markets.

Expert Conclusion

When it comes to World Cup 2026 predictions, most fans will focus on title contenders like France, Argentina, England, or Portugal.

However, for experienced bettors, the greatest value often lies in identifying teams that are being overrated.

England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Croatia, and the USA all have worrying weaknesses. Those weaknesses could be media pressure, age, generational transition, or overly high expectations from fans.

The most important thing is not to predict exactly which team will be eliminated early.

The important thing is to understand why the market might be mispricing them.

That is where the most valuable betting opportunities at World Cup 2026 will appear.

@V9Bet

V9Bet is an Asian bookmaker that has been operating in the Vietnamese market for more than 10 years on entertainment betting games such as cards, online casino, sports betting, lottery, slot games,...

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