Saudi Arabia and New Zealand crash out of expanded 2026 World Cup
New Zealand and Saudi Arabia have been eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after finishing at the bottom of their respective groups during the opening phase of the expanded 48-team tournament.
The biggest edition of football’s premier global competition guarantees that 47 competing nations will ultimately fall short of ultimate glory.
Grading these early departures reveals vastly different levels of underachievement across the initial group stages.
All Whites extend winless drought
The Oceanian representatives finished last in Group G following a heavy defeat against a star-studded Belgium side.
Despite showing genuine promise by taking the lead in their fixtures against Iran and Egypt, the team ultimately surrendered both advantages.
That inability to close out matches means the frustrating wait for a maiden victory on the global stage continues.
Entering the competition as heavy underdogs, the squad was always expected to struggle against higher-calibre international opposition.
Green Falcons fall flat
Meanwhile, the Middle Eastern powerhouse suffered a dismal exit after finishing at the foot of Group H.
Needing a victory against a nation boasting a population of just over half a million people to advance to the round of 32, they could only manage a scoreless draw.
The squad was thoroughly outplayed in their decisive fixture and struggled desperately to create meaningful attacking opportunities.
Registering a mere 17 total shots before their elimination, the side recorded one of the lowest attacking outputs of the entire competition.
