Germany tipped to flop as World Cup’s biggest disappointments and dark horses predicted

talkSPORT’s Jeff Stelling and Ally McCoist have delivered their verdicts on the biggest underachievers and overachievers for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.

The tournament in Canada, Mexico and the USA is going to be the biggest World Cup yet, with 48 teams taking part.

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Giving their predictions on the talkSPORT Breakfast show, Stelling and McCoist picked out the countries they think will flop and those they’re tipping as dark horses.

Stelling’s Germany doubt

“I’m going to go out on a limb here,” said Stelling. “Biggest flops: Germany.

“They’ve got a sort of gimme group. I know you’ve got Ecuador in, but…Ivory Coast can be useful as well, [and] Curacao.

“But I look at this [Germany team]… a million miles off what it used to be.

“You know, [Nick] Woltemade and [Florian] Wirtz, who’ve both had terrible seasons really, and they’ll both start for the Germans.

“Some of the performances in qualifying, less than great – against Northern Ireland and Slovakia.

“And yeah, they’re on a winning run at the moment, but the quality of their opposition has been not great.

“But the principle reason [they’ll flop] aside from all that is the chances are they’ll play France in the last 16 – and that would be that.”

Belgian golden generation is over

McCoist, meanwhile, has his doubts about Belgium, who are in a kind-looking group alongside Egypt, Iran and New Zealand.

“I think that kind of [golden] generation’s gone,” he said.

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“Belgium have got, I think, a relatively easy group, but in terms of going far in the tournament, I’m not so sure.

Senegal could be sensational

The pair also fancied different nations to emerge as the World Cup’s surprise packages, Stelling going with Senegal and McCoist opting for Ecuador.

“Senegal, for me, if they keep their heads,” said Stelling, emphasising their odds of 66/1 to win the tournament.

“They’re in a group with France, Norway and Iraq – now, on the face of it, quite difficult.

“Playing France first, I think that’s a good time to play them because sides are cagey in their opening games.

“Pick up a point against France and they’ve qualified comfortably.

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“And of course, we’ve all seen what they can do in the Africa Cup of Nations.

“And also what we don’t want them to do in the Africa Cup of Nations, and that’s lose their heads.”

Senegal left the pitch in protest against refereeing decisions during the 2025 AFCON final against Morocco and were later stripped of the trophy, despite winning the match 1-0 in extra-time.

Stelling added: “But if they don’t [lose their heads]…

“One day, an African nation is going to make a massive, massive breakthrough.”

In 2022, Morocco became the first African country to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

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And if Senegal can beat that feat then Stelling will be onto a decent win at 66/1.

McCoist excited about Ecuador

On Ecuador, McCoist noted how they were a side “going under the radar” coming into the World Cup.

“I think they’ve got some excellent, excellent players,” he emphasised.

“I think they had a good qualifying campaign and I think they’ll do well.”

Ecuador actually finished second in CONMEBOL qualifying, behind Argentina.

The two sides were evenly matched too with both sides claiming a victory across their two clashes.

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Ecuador might lack a bit of firepower with ex-West Ham star Enner Valencia still getting into their squad, aged 36, but their miserly defence only conceded five goals in 18 games – some feat.

The World Cup 2026 gets under way next Thursday (June 11), with co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa in the opening game.