The 2026 FIFA World Cup has already delivered drama, emotion and heartbreak, with five nations now officially eliminated from the tournament.
Haiti, Türkiye, Tunisia, Jordan and Panama have all seen their World Cup journeys come to an early end after difficult group-stage campaigns.
In the new 48-team format, the top two teams from each group progress automatically, while the eight best third-placed teams also advance to the Round of 32.
That gave many teams extra hope, but for these five nations, the results were not enough.
Haiti were among the first teams to bow out after losing all three of their Group C matches.
Despite the disappointment, their return to the World Cup stage was still a proud moment and a reminder of how much the tournament means to smaller football nations.
Türkiye also suffered an early exit from Group D after defeats left them with no route into the knockout stage.
It was a painful campaign for a team that arrived with ambition but struggled to find rhythm when it mattered most.
Tunisia’s tournament also ended in frustration after tough results in Group F. Against strong opponents, they were unable to collect the points needed to stay alive.
Jordan, making their first World Cup appearance, leave the competition with experience and pride despite elimination.
Their campaign may have ended early, but simply reaching the world stage was a historic achievement.
Panama also joined the eliminated list after failing to recover from defeats in Group L.
With England, Ghana and Croatia battling for qualification, Panama found the group too difficult to escape.
As the group stage continues, more teams are under pressure.
Every match now carries huge importance, especially for third-placed teams hoping to sneak into the Round of 32.
For the eliminated nations, the dream is over. But their presence added colour, passion and stories to a World Cup that is only beginning to heat up.