By: Precious Miracle Kargbo Snr
The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage is beginning to take clearer shape, with three national teams already confirmed eliminated after failing to secure enough points to remain in contention for qualification to the knockout rounds
Haiti was the first to exit the competition following back-to-back defeats, losing 1-0 to Scotland and 3-0 to Brazil. With zero points from their opening matches, the Caribbean side are mathematically out of the tournament and unable to progress further.
Turkey has also been eliminated after suffering consecutive defeats in Group D, including a 2–0 loss to Australia and a 1–0 defeat to Paraguay. The results leave them without a point and are unable to recover in the remaining group fixtures.
Tunisia completed the list of early exits after a difficult campaign in Group F. The North African side were heavily beaten 5-1 by Sweden and 4-0 by Japan, results that sealed their elimination from the tournament.
These early departures underline the competitive intensity of the expanded World Cup format, where poor opening performances can quickly end a nation’s hopes. While some teams have already been eliminated, many groups remain tightly contested, with qualifications still undecided for several nations.
As the group stage continues, attention now turns to the remaining fixtures, where teams will be fighting not only for points but for survival in the world’s biggest football tournament.