The Underdog World Cup Show

On this episode of The Underdog World Cup Show, Chris Horwedel recaps Norway’s stunning World Cup upset over Brazil, England surviving Mexico at the Azteca, and previews two massive Round of 16 matchups: Portugal vs. Spain and USA vs. Belgium. The show opens at MetLife, where Norway beats Brazil 2-1 behind two late goals from Erling Haaland. Brazil had the early chance to take control, but Bruno Guimarães’ penalty was saved by Ørjan Nyland, and Norway stayed organized long enough for Haaland to take over. Neymar scored a stoppage-time penalty, but it was too late, and Brazil’s wait for a sixth World Cup title continues.Chris breaks down what the result means for both teams: Norway reaches its first-ever World Cup quarterfinal, Haaland joins Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi at the top of the Golden Boot race with seven goals, and Brazil exits in the Round of 16 with Neymar’s World Cup future now uncertain. The win changes Norway from a fun tournament story into a legitimate quarterfinal threat.England also advances after a chaotic 3-2 win over Mexico at the Azteca. Jude Bellingham scores twice, Harry Kane adds a penalty, and England holds on despite Jarell Quansah’s second-half red card. Mexico entered with four wins and four clean sheets, but Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez could not complete the comeback in front of a wild home crowd. England’s first competitive win at the Azteca sets up a quarterfinal showdown with Norway, giving the tournament a major Harry Kane vs. Erling Haaland storyline.The episode then previews Portugal vs. Spain in Arlington, a Round of 16 matchup that feels huge for this stage of the tournament. Spain enters with four wins, four clean sheets, Mikel Oyarzabal in form, Pedri and Rodri controlling midfield, and Lamine Yamal adding unpredictability. Portugal counters with Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leão, and Vitinha, giving them enough attacking volatility to threaten Spain’s perfect defensive record. Chris uses odds from oddsmakers to frame Spain as the more stable side, while noting Portugal’s ability to flip a match through individual moments.The show closes with a preview of USA vs. Belgium in Seattle, centered on Folarin Balogun being cleared to play after FIFA suspended his red-card ban. Chris explains why Balogun’s availability changes the U.S. attack, helps Christian Pulisic, and gives Mauricio Pochettino’s team a true center-forward against a Belgium side that survived Senegal in extra time. Belgium brings Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and tournament pedigree, but their transition defense has looked vulnerable. With the U.S. crowd behind them, Seattle could become one of the defining atmospheres of the knockout stage.

On this episode of The Underdog World Cup Show, Chris Horwedel recaps the end of the Round of 32 and looks ahead to the start of the Round of 16. The show opens with Egypt making history by beating Australia on penalties after a 1-1 draw, giving Egypt its first-ever World Cup knockout win. Mohamed Salah returned from injury, scored with a Panenka in the shootout, and helped set up a massive Round of 16 matchup with Argentina.Chris then breaks down Argentina’s dramatic 3-2 extra-time win over Cape Verde, a match that nearly became one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. Lionel Messi scored his seventh goal of the tournament, Cape Verde fought back twice, and Argentina ultimately survived on a late own goal created by a Messi corner. Even in defeat, Cape Verde leaves the tournament as one of its best stories, with Vozinha and the underdog island nation pushing the defending champions to the limit.The episode also covers Colombia’s 1-0 win over Ghana, with Jhon Arias scoring early after Luis Suárez replaced the injured Jhon Córdoba. Colombia’s composed performance sets up a Round of 16 meeting with Switzerland and reinforces their status as a dangerous team that may not be getting enough attention.Looking ahead, Chris previews Canada vs. Morocco and France vs. Paraguay. Canada enters the deepest men’s World Cup run in program history, with Alphonso Davies potentially playing a larger role, but Morocco brings an unbeaten tournament record, penalty-shootout confidence, and key players like Achraf Hakimi, Yassine Bounou, Ismael Saibari, and Brahim Díaz. France, meanwhile, has been the tournament’s best team so far, but Paraguay’s upset of Germany and the expected absence of Aurélien Tchouaméni give the matchup real intrigue. Chris closes with an Airbnb read tied naturally to France vs. Paraguay taking place in Philadelphia on the Fourth of July.

On this episode of The Underdog World Cup Show, Chris Horwedel previews the final day of the 2026 World Cup Round of 32 while recapping Spain, Portugal, and Switzerland advancing into the last 16. The show opens with Spain beating Austria 3-0 behind two goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and another from Pedro Porro, while Spain’s defense continues its perfect tournament with four straight clean sheets. Chris highlights Lamine Yamal’s influence, Austria failing to put a shot on target, and Spain’s first World Cup knockout win since 2010 before a massive Round of 16 matchup with Portugal.Portugal’s dramatic 2-1 win over Croatia takes center stage next, with Ivan Perišić giving Croatia the lead, Cristiano Ronaldo scoring his first World Cup knockout goal from the penalty spot, and Gonçalo Ramos winning it in stoppage time. Chris breaks down the VAR drama, Ronaldo becoming the oldest player ever to score in a World Cup knockout match, and the likely end of Luka Modrić’s incredible World Cup career.Switzerland also makes history, beating Algeria 2-0 in Vancouver for its first World Cup knockout win since 1938. Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye score, Granit Xhaka controls midfield, and Switzerland moves on to face either Colombia or Ghana.The episode then previews Australia vs. Egypt, Argentina vs. Cape Verde, and Colombia vs. Ghana using odds from oddsmakers. Chris looks at Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush leading Egypt, Australia’s set-piece threat, Lionel Messi and Argentina’s heavy favorite status against historic Cape Verde, and Colombia’s pressure-based attack against a Ghana team with Antoine Semenyo, Jordan Ayew, and Mohammed Kudus.

On this episode of The Underdog World Cup Show, Chris Horwedel recaps another dramatic day in the 2026 World Cup Round of 32, led by England surviving DR Congo, Belgium stealing a wild extra-time win over Senegal, and the United States earning its biggest World Cup knockout victory in more than two decades. The show opens with England’s 2-1 comeback win over DR Congo, as Brian Cipenga gives Congo an early lead before Harry Kane scores twice late to send England into a massive Round of 16 matchup against Mexico at the Azteca.Chris then breaks down Belgium’s 3-2 extra-time win over Senegal, one of the wildest games of the knockout stage so far. Senegal led 2-0 behind Habib Diarra and Ismaïla Sarr before Belgium came back through Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans, with Tielemans later converting a controversial penalty after a VAR review. Belgium now moves on to face the United States, but Chris notes the defensive concerns that could make that matchup unpredictable.The U.S. men’s national team gets a major spotlight after beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in Santa Clara for its first World Cup knockout win since 2002. Folarin Balogun scores his third goal of the tournament before being sent off after a VAR review, meaning he will miss the Belgium match. Malik Tillman seals the win with a late free kick, Matt Freese keeps another clean sheet, Christian Pulisic starts, and Mauricio Pochettino earns his third win of the tournament.The episode then previews Spain vs. Austria, Portugal vs. Croatia, and Switzerland vs. Algeria, using odds from oddsmakers to frame the knockout pressure. Chris highlights Spain’s perfect defensive record, Austria’s structure, Portugal’s attacking talent, Croatia’s tournament experience, Switzerland’s consistency, and Algeria’s spark behind Riyad Mahrez.

On this episode of The Underdog World Cup Show, Chris Horwedel recaps another dramatic day in the 2026 World Cup Round of 32 and previews a major knockout slate featuring England, Belgium, Senegal, the United States, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The show opens with Norway beating Ivory Coast behind a late Erling Haaland winner, after Antonio Nusa opened the scoring and Amad Diallo equalized. Chris breaks down Norway’s upcoming showdown with Brazil and what Haaland’s 60th international goal means for one of the tournament’s biggest stars.France continues to look like one of the clear World Cup favorites after a 3-0 win over Sweden. Kylian Mbappé scores twice, Bradley Barcola adds another, and Michael Olise continues to create chances as France moves on to face Paraguay. Chris highlights France’s scary attacking depth, its 13 goals through four matches, and why the matchup against Paraguay is more dangerous than it looks after Paraguay’s upset of Germany.Mexico delivers one of the biggest moments of the tournament at the Azteca, beating Ecuador 2-0 to earn its first World Cup knockout win since 1986. Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez score, Raúl Rangel makes a key save, Gilberto Mora brings energy in midfield, and Mexico’s perfect defensive run continues with four wins and four clean sheets.The episode then previews England vs. DR Congo, Belgium vs. Senegal, and USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, using odds from oddsmakers to frame each matchup. Chris looks at Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham leading England, Yoane Wissa and Cédric Bakambu making DR Congo dangerous, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku trying to push Belgium past a fast Senegal team, and the U.S. facing its first real knockout test under Mauricio Pochettino against an experienced Bosnia side led by Edin Džeko.

On this episode of The Underdog World Cup Show, Chris Horwedel recaps a dramatic Round of 32 day at the 2026 World Cup, where Brazil survived Japan, Paraguay stunned Germany, and Morocco eliminated the Netherlands on penalties. The show opens in Houston, where Brazil needed a stoppage-time Gabriel Martinelli winner to beat Japan after Kaishu Sano gave Japan a first-half lead. Chris breaks down Brazil’s possession edge, Casemiro’s equalizer, Bruno Guimarães’ late setup, Japan’s impressive performance, and the concern around Casemiro’s apparent leg issue.The episode then moves to the biggest upset of the day, as Paraguay knocked out Germany in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. Julio Enciso scored Paraguay’s first-ever World Cup knockout goal, Kai Havertz equalized, and José Canale converted the decisive penalty as Germany lost a World Cup shootout for the first time ever. Chris explains why the result is historic for Paraguay and another painful tournament failure for Germany.Morocco’s win over the Netherlands closes the recap, with Issa Diop’s stoppage-time header forcing penalties and Yassine Bounou becoming the shootout hero before Ismael Saibari buried the winner. Chris then previews today’s knockout slate: Ivory Coast vs. Norway, France vs. Sweden, and Mexico vs. Ecuador. The preview highlights Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard leading Norway, Ivory Coast’s physical edge, France’s scary depth behind Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, Sweden’s upset potential through Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak, and Mexico’s perfect defensive record facing an Ecuador team that already shocked Germany.

On this episode of The Underdog World Cup Show, Chris Horwedel recaps the opening match of the Round of 32 and previews a major knockout-stage slate. The show starts with Canada making men’s World Cup history, beating South Africa in Los Angeles on a late Stephen Eustáquio goal to reach the last 16 for the first time ever. Chris breaks down the tension of the match, Jesse Marsch’s historic moment, Alphonso Davies’ return from injury, and South Africa’s impressive run under Hugo Broos.The episode then previews Brazil vs. Japan in Houston, with Brazil entering the knockout stage after winning Group C behind Vinícius Júnior, Matheus Cunha, and Bruno Guimarães. Japan’s unbeaten group-stage run, pressing structure, Zion Suzuki’s goalkeeping, and the absence of Takefusa Kubo help frame one of the day’s most intriguing matchups.Germany vs. Paraguay follows, as Chris looks at Germany’s explosive attack, Julian Nagelsmann’s pressure, Deniz Undav’s role, and the creative expectations around Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz. Paraguay’s defensive structure, Miguel Almirón’s transition threat, Julio Enciso’s creativity, and Gustavo Gómez’s leadership make them a potentially uncomfortable opponent.The show closes with Netherlands vs. Morocco in Monterrey, the game of the day. Chris breaks down the Netherlands’ Group F win, Brian Brobbey’s scoring form, Cody Gakpo’s danger, Virgil van Dijk’s leadership, and Morocco’s unbeaten run behind Achraf Hakimi, Ismael Saibari, Brahim Díaz, and Ayyoub Bouaddi. With odds from oddsmakers framing a tight knockout match, the episode sets up a day where Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, and Morocco all face real Round of 32 pressure.

On this episode of The Underdog World Cup Show, Chris Horwedel closes the book on the 2026 World Cup group stage and previews the first Round of 32 matchup. The show opens with England beating Panama to finish top of Group L, as Jude Bellingham sparks the attack and Harry Kane makes history by passing Gary Lineker as England’s all-time leading World Cup scorer.Chris also breaks down Croatia’s dramatic win over Ghana, with Luka Modrić becoming the oldest player in World Cup history to record an assist, while both teams move forward into the knockout picture. Group K features Colombia finishing first after a competitive draw with Portugal, plus DR Congo making history with its first World Cup win and a comeback against Uzbekistan that sends them through to face England.Group J delivers the wildest finish of the day, with Argentina continuing its perfect group-stage run behind Lionel Messi’s latest milestone and Algeria-Austria producing a chaotic draw that sends both teams through while eliminating Iran despite an unbeaten group stage. Chris then previews South Africa vs. Canada, the opening game of the Round of 32, using odds from oddsmakers to frame Canada’s talent edge, South Africa’s defensive structure, the pressure of knockout soccer, and what a win would mean for either nation.