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Sports

Ecuador Stuns Germany, USMNT Falls and France Awaits

Chris Horwedel June 26, 2026

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This week on The Underdog World Cup Show:

On this episode of The Underdog World Cup Show, Chris Horwedel breaks down another six-game World Cup day as the group stage moves closer to the knockout rounds. The show opens with the USMNT’s final Group D match against Turkey, where the United States still wins the group but heads into the Round of 32 with questions around defensive sharpness, rotation, Christian Pulisic’s fitness, Auston Trusty’s status, and an upcoming matchup with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Group D also features Paraguay and Australia, with Australia reaching another knockout stage and Paraguay staying alive in the third-place picture. Group E brings one of the day’s biggest twists as Ecuador gets a major result against Germany to move through, while Ivory Coast beats Curaçao and reaches the knockout stage for the first time. Chris also gives Curaçao credit for making history as the smallest nation ever to play in a men’s World Cup.

Group F wraps with the Netherlands finishing on top after its match with Tunisia, while Japan and Sweden both advance after a tense draw. The Netherlands now draw Morocco, Japan gets Brazil, and Sweden also moves on, setting up a stronger knockout bracket.

Chris then previews today’s six-game slate, led by Norway vs. France in Group I, a marquee showdown framed around Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Martin Ødegaard, Michael Olise, and Aurélien Tchouaméni. The episode also previews Senegal vs. Iraq, Spain vs. Uruguay, Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia, Egypt vs. Iran, and Belgium vs. New Zealand. Using odds from oddsmakers, Chris highlights the key tournament angles: France’s title-market strength, Norway’s chance to prove it belongs, Spain’s control of Group H, Uruguay’s pressure, Cape Verde and Egypt chasing history, and Belgium trying to avoid a shocking early exit.

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Author

Chris Horwedel

A lifelong sports fan who created NFL Draft Blitz all the way back in 1999. Chris founded Deep(ish) Thoughts in July of 2015 and that evolved into Underdog Sports in September of 2017. In his spare time, he enjoys watching Philadelphia sports teams, especially his beloved 76ers. #TrustTheProcess is a way of life.

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