The 2026 FIFA World Cup has produced a historic first, with two teams ranked inside the top 10 of the FIFA World Rankings being eliminated in the opening knockout round for the first time in the tournament’s history. Germany, ranked No. 10, and the Netherlands, ranked No. 8, both saw their campaigns come to an end on penalties, making the Round of 32 one of the most dramatic knockout stages the competition has witnessed. Germany’s disappointing run at major tournaments continued after Paraguay stunned the four-time world champions in a penalty shootout. The match ended 1-1 after extra time, with Germany believing they had found the winner in the 101st minute when Jonathan Tah headed home from a corner. However, after a VAR review, referee Jalal Jayed ruled out the goal, deciding that defender Waldemar Anton had impeded Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill in the build-up. The decision forced the contest into penalties, where Paraguay held their nerve to win 5-3. The defeat marked Germany’s first-ever FIFA World Cup elimination via a penalty shootout, having won each of their previous four shootouts in the competition. It was also only their second defeat on penalties at a major international tournament, the first coming against Czechoslovakia in the 1976 UEFA European Championship final. The result also extended Germany’s struggles since lifting the World Cup in 2014, following group-stage exits in the previous two editions. Later, Morocco scripted another memorable chapter in their World Cup journey by eliminating the Netherlands after a dramatic penalty shootout. The Dutch looked destined for the Round of 16 after Cody Gakpo broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute. But Morocco refused to give in, finding an equaliser deep into stoppage time when Chemsdine Talbi’s inviting cross was headed home by Issa Diop in the 91st minute. Neither side could find a winner during extra time, taking the match to penalties. Both teams missed two spot-kicks, but Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou once again showcased his brilliance from 12 yards by saving Crysencio Summerville’s effort. With the shootout finely poised, Ismael Saibari calmly converted Morocco’s decisive penalty to seal a 3-2 victory and send the African side into the Round of 16. The combined exits of Germany and the Netherlands ensured a landmark moment in FIFA World Cup history, as never before had two top-10 ranked nations been knocked out in the very first round of the tournament’s knockout stage.
