Photo by 内閣広報室 / Cabinet Public Affairs Office via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0
The 2026 World Cup is dismantling football’s old guard in real time. Mexico stunned the Netherlands 2-1 in a knockout thriller on June 29, while Canada erased a two-goal deficit to beat France 3-2 on penalties the same day. Then came Paraguay’s penalty-shootout upset of Germany on July 2, a 4-3 victory after a 1-1 draw that sent shockwaves through the tournament.
These results aren’t anomalies—they’re proof the North American stage is rewriting the global hierarchy. Mexico’s win over the Dutch marked their first-ever knockout-stage victory at a World Cup, a milestone delivered by Gilberto Mora’s 78th-minute strike and a defensive masterclass under Mauricio Pochettino. Canada’s triumph over France, sealed by goalkeeper Stephen Eustáquio’s heroics in the shootout, ended a 36-year winless streak against top-10 ranked teams.
Paraguay’s shootout triumph over Germany, their first knockout-stage penalty victory since 1998, underscored the depth of their squad and the fragility of football’s former titans. The fallout is immediate. Germany, winless in their last two World Cup matches for the first time since 1938, and the Netherlands, eliminated without a shot on target for the first time in their history, are grappling with existential questions.
Meanwhile, hosts Canada and Mexico are writing new chapters, and Paraguay’s improbable run has turned Asunción into a cauldron of hope. Lionel Messi, watching from the stands, embodies the tension: the old guard’s last gasp or the new era’s quiet observer? The knockout-stage upsets expose deeper tactical shifts.
Germany’s struggles stem from a rigid possession-heavy system clashing with high-pressing opponents, while the Dutch’s elimination reflects their inability to adapt to compact low-block defenses. These failures aren’t isolated; they mirror broader trends where traditional powerhouses rely on outdated systems while emerging teams exploit transitional vulnerabilities with aggressive transitions and set-piece efficiency. The North American hosts, meanwhile, benefit from home support and tactical flexibility, turning their underdog status into a tactical advantage.
The psychological impact is just as stark. For Germany, the 1938 precedent looms large—a team that once defined football’s dominance now staring into the abyss of irrelevance. The Netherlands, long the purists’ darlings, face questions about their identity after a tactical collapse.
Conversely, Mexico’s breakthrough under Pochettino signals a new era for CONCACAF, while Canada’s shootout heroics have ignited a nation’s belief. Paraguay’s penalty victory over Germany isn’t just a result; it’s a statement that South American football’s depth extends beyond the traditional powerhouses. The global football economy is already recalibrating.
Sponsorship deals tied to legacy brands like Germany and the Netherlands are under review, while upstarts like Paraguay and Canada see their market value surge. Broadcasters are scrambling to adjust narratives, with pundits forced to rewrite pre-tournament scripts. Even FIFA’s revenue projections for the 2026 cycle—heavily dependent on traditional powerhouses—now face scrutiny as underdog runs redefine audience engagement.
The tournament’s geographic footprint is shifting too. North America’s rise isn’t just about results; it’s about infrastructure. Hosts Canada and Mexico leveraged home advantage with stadiums built for modern demands—climate-controlled venues, expanded fan zones, and tech-driven fan experiences.
Paraguay’s run, meanwhile, has spotlighted the need for South American football to diversify beyond Brazil and Argentina, proving that the continent’s next wave of talent isn’t confined to the usual hotbeds. What’s next: The quarterfinals kick off July 5 with Canada facing Argentina and Mexico set to face Spain. If either hosts advance, the knockout stages could deliver the first all-North American World Cup final in history.
The giants aren’t just stumbling—they’re being dragged into a future they didn’t prepare for. Read at The 42 (Ireland)
Why this matters
This World Cup is dismantling football’s power structure faster than VAR can review a penalty. The struggles of Germany and the Netherlands aren’t flukes; they’re symptoms of a game evolving beyond tradition. Underdogs like Mexico, Canada, and Paraguay are seizing the moment, proving that legacy no longer guarantees survival. For fans, that means unpredictability—and for football’s old guard, a reckoning they didn’t see coming. The tactical and psychological upheaval on display isn’t just reshaping this tournament; it’s redrawing the blueprint for how football will be played and perceived for years to come. The economic and geographic shifts unfolding now will ripple through the sport long after the final whistle in 2026.
Frequently asked
How did Mexico beat the Netherlands in the 2026 World Cup?
Mexico defeated the Netherlands 2-1 on June 29, with Gilberto Mora’s 78th-minute strike sealing a defensive masterclass under Mauricio Pochettino. The Dutch managed just one shot on target, exposing their inability to break down a compact low block.
What was Canada’s biggest win at the 2026 World Cup?
Canada’s 3-2 penalty shootout victory over France on June 29 ended a 36-year winless streak against top-10 ranked teams. Stephen Eustáquio’s two saves in the shootout, including the decisive stop, turned him into an overnight national hero.
How did Paraguay shock Germany in the Round of 16?
Paraguay eliminated Germany 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw on July 2. Their first knockout-stage penalty win since 1998 came amid a disciplined defensive display that neutralized Germany’s midfield creativity and exposed their transitional frailties.
Why are Germany and the Netherlands struggling in the 2026 World Cup?
Germany are winless in their last two World Cup matches for the first time since 1938, while the Netherlands were eliminated without a shot on target for the first time in their history. Both teams reflect a broader shift as traditional possession-heavy tactics fail against modern pressing and tactical flexibility.
Who are the key players driving the underdog narratives at this World Cup?
Gilberto Mora’s clutch goals for Mexico, Stephen Eustáquio’s penalty heroics for Canada, and Paraguay’s collective resilience highlight the tournament’s new stars. Lionel Messi remains a symbolic figure, but the spotlight belongs to those rewriting history with performances that defy expectations.
What’s next for the hosts Canada and Mexico in the 2026 World Cup?
Canada face Argentina in the quarterfinals on July 5, while Mexico meet Spain the same day. An all-North American final is possible if both hosts advance, a scenario that would redefine football’s continental power dynamics and deliver a historic first for CONCACAF.
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