Soccer underdogs undermining world's best at World Cup episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 16, 2026 · 4 MIN

Soccer underdogs undermining world's best at World Cup

from The World: Latest Stories · host Gerry Hadden

Most of the way through the opening round of the World Cup, a slew of ties is injecting hope into teams not expected to get terribly far in the tournament. From Iran to Qatar to Japan to Cape Verde, underdogs aren't winning — but they aren't losing either. And some historically dominant teams are feeling stunned. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Barcelona.

Most of the way through the opening round of the World Cup, a slew of ties is injecting hope into teams not expected to get terribly far in the tournament. From Iran to Qatar to Japan to Cape Verde, underdogs aren't winning — but they aren't losing either. And some historically dominant teams are feeling stunned. The World's Gerry Hadden reports from Barcelona.

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Soccer underdogs undermining world's best at World Cup

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This episode was published on June 16, 2026.

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Most of the way through the opening round of the World Cup, a slew of ties is injecting hope into teams not expected to get terribly far in the tournament. From Iran to Qatar to Japan to Cape Verde, underdogs aren't winning — but they aren't losing...

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