The Three Biggest Disappointments of The World Cup

AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis

As of December 1, 14 out of 16 teams have punched their ticket into the knockout round of the World Cup. It’s already been one of the most exciting tournaments in the 90-plus year history of the competition, and many unexpected teams have made it to the Round of 16, surprising fans.

For instance, Japan and Morocco topped their respective groups, and Australia came out of nowhere to beat Denmark, getting a spot against Lionel Messi and Argentina in the Round of 16. However, this World Cup has had many unexpected outcomes, and many teams have been disappointed.

Yes, there are bound to be some upsets in every tournament and championship. Like March Madness in 2018, the top-seeded University of Virginia lost to the 16-seeded University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 74-54. Or when the New York Giants beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl in 2008 and 2012 (Not to mention that the 2007 Patriots were undefeated).

However, in this World Cup, some teams should have done better and ended up leaving almost as soon as they got off the flight to Qatar. So, let’s go over the three teams who have been the biggest disappointments of the World Cup so far.

REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo

Denmark

From making it to the semi-finals of the Euro 2021 competition to getting knocked out by Australia, and not getting a single win during the tournament is probably not what most thought would happen to Denmark in this tournament.

This team was expected to do better considering that they have many talents on their team, like Kasper Schmeichel in goal, the young and fiery Kasper Dolberg up front, Andreas Christensen in defense, and world-class midfielder Christian Ericksen. Denmark was supposed to at least make it out of Group D on paper, but it seemed like they had jet lag or something during all of their games, only managing to get one goal the entire tournament.

Losing to France is understandable, considering that they are the current World Champions and that France wants to prove that the “Champions Curse” does not apply to them. However, drawing against Tunisia and losing to Australia is definitely not what people were expecting to happen. So on that note, Denmark better hope that in 2024 they can get going for the Euros because if they can’t figure something out, their opportunity to win an international competition may fade away.

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Germany

Manuel Neuer at goal…check. Deadly defense, midfield, and attack…check. Getting kicked out because of a loss to Japan and drawing against your European rivals Spain… also check.

Germany was tragic in this World Cup. This team has a great mix of old and new players and should have been ready to go toe to toe with all the top dogs in the soccer world, such as Brazil, Argentina, England, and Portugal. Instead, what we watched unfold was a team with no fight, no identity, and, unexpectedly, no pride.

Germany did see an early exit during the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but everyone thought it was just the Curse of the Champions, but now this early exit is definitely going to raise some eyebrows. This is a good German team and really should have played better than they did. Unfortunately, what we watched instead was pathetic.

Yes, they did manage to beat Costa Rica 4-2, but the damage was already done. Now there will be no partying in the streets of Munich like it’s Oktoberfest because to Germans, this was as big a disappointment as Italy not qualifying for this World Cup.

At this rate, Germany might join Italy and not even be there for the 2026 World Cup tournament in Canada, Mexico, and The United States.

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Belgium

Now this one enrages a lot of Belgians and soccer fans around the world. Belgium came into this tournament as the second-ranked team in the world. This team has Eden and Thorgan Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois, Jeremy Doku, and many, many more.

They won against Canada on match day one. However, after their loss against Morocco, De Bruyne (the team captain) said, “We’re too old,” which caused a rift in the locker room. And almost as soon as this team arrived in Qatar, they left!

COME ON, BELGIUM!!

The team had no heart or soul to make it forward, and De Bruyne’s attitude tells it all. If the team captain is saying they are not as good as everybody thinks and don’t really want to be there, you’ve honestly let your country down.

Belgium was supposed to possibly have a shot at going to the finals, but instead, what we saw in this tournament was a team with less heart than a kindergarten soccer team. Also, it appears they have a captain who does not know how to lead a dog on a leash, let alone be a team leader. Belgium needs to take a look at themselves in the mirror because they let millions of soccer fans down with the performance they gave, and honestly should get another captain because De Bruyne is a bum who clearly is unfit to lead the team. ARE YOU HAPPY BELGIUM? YOU RUINED IT. YOU’VE RUINED IT ALL!!

Congrats to the other countries that made it to the knockout round– well deserved. To those who are going home, good job. You put up a decent fight (except for Belgium). We hope to see you back in 2026, and by then, maybe Italy can qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2014.