Soccer involves plenty of failure, above all this summer.

Each contest at the 2026 World Cup has seen roughly 80 possessions per side. And each squad has netted around 1.5 goals per match. Those sides, put differently, miss scoring on 98 percent of their possessions.

Those squads create only about 12 shots each game, meaning 85 percent of possessions never reach an attempt at goal. Even when shots occur, they fail to turn into goals 88 percent of the time.

Yet we tolerate the endless futility because a potential reward lies beyond these bleak numbers, correct? Correct?

Well, not really.

The largest World Cup yet arrives with an even bigger wave of disappointment. Of the 48 sides chasing the trophy this summer, 47 (98 percent) will come up short. Tally all World Cups this century, and by summer's close 240 different player groups will have aimed to claim the prize, with 233 falling short.

Naturally, failures differ. Injuries strike, officials err, random borders and population quirks shape squads, economic realities override strategy, and luck persists.

Thus, from now through the tournament's finish, we will assess the 47 disappointments, updating this page often with the latest exits first, drawing on pre-event hopes, on-field results and other relevant factors.

Marks follow the standard A-to-F range. Yes, an A remains possible despite failure, as does an F. Few phrases capture the World Cup better.

All figures derive from the Futi app or Stats Perform data unless noted. Projections stem from Michael Caley's PADDLIN' model.

New Zealand

How they got eliminated: Last place in Group G
Final grade: C

They arrived as the group's lowest-rated side, battled Iran and Egypt, then fell heavily to Belgium. That pattern, expecting little versus Belgium yet staying competitive with the others, would have formed a sensible target. They created opportunities for favorable bounces, yet those did not arrive.

The main letdown came from holding leads twice versus Iran and scoring first against Egypt. Their search for a first World Cup victory goes on.

Saudi Arabia

How they got eliminated: Last place in Group H
Final grade: D-

All Saudi Arabia needed for a round-of-32 spot was a win over a nation of 530,000 residents. Instead, despite a scoreless result, they were outplayed by that small nation.

Larger circles mark higher expected-goal chances.

At elimination, their 17 total shots ranked among the lowest for sides completing three group matches, matching Qatar from 2022. Saudi Arabia will host in 2034.

Uruguay

How they got eliminated: Third place in Group H
Final grade: F

Following a 5-1 friendly loss to the United States last November, manager Marcelo Bielsa identified the issue: "I'm toxic. Being around me makes people worse."

After a 1-0 defeat to Spain confirmed their exit, Bielsa reflected on his two-year stint: "I don't need to speak any further about our performance at the World Cup. If you ask how they are going to remember me, they will remember me as having left nothing."

Retirement or poetry might suit. Uruguay operated mainly in "SMASH" or "SMASH HARDER" modes. Absent errors by keeper Fernando Muslera, they would have reached the knockouts, yet this group lacked quality.

Trailing Spain 1-0 at halftime in their finale, they managed just two shots afterward. Pre-tournament rankings placed them 13th; they rank as the strongest side missing the knockout phase.

Iraq

How they got eliminated: Finished last in Group I
Final grade: C-

Iraq's return after 40 years was welcome, though they faced tough odds from the outset. Pre-tournament rankings had France first, Norway ninth and Senegal 11th, creating a daunting group. Outscored 12-1 overall cannot count as success, yet they received none of the fortune required for advancement.

Curacao

How they got eliminated: Finished last in Group E
Final grade: B

With a population of 150,000, does mere qualification merit an A? Twenty-five of 26 players were born in the Netherlands, so it is not entirely accurate that 0.03 percent of the island's male residents featured this summer.

Still, a 37-year-old from the league below MLS set the record for saves in a 90-minute World Cup match. Larger dots indicate higher expected-goal value.

Those 15 shots projected 2.27 goals conceded on average. Goalkeeper Room allowed zero against a side featuring players from Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. Curacao retained qualification hopes until the final whistle versus Ivory Coast.

Czechia

How they got eliminated: Finished last in Group A
Final grade: D-

Set pieces defined their approach, with little beyond that.

All goals and 18 of 34 shots came from dead balls, accounting for 1.38 of 2.37 expected goals. This approach fits a debutant lacking elite talent seeking every advantage. Yet most starters play in top European leagues.

Such a side should reach the round of 32 and threaten upsets for further progress. Instead, Czechia finished bottom in one of the weakest groups ever.

Qatar

How they got eliminated: Finished last in Group B
Final grade: F

They entered ranked 95th in Elo ratings, the lowest ever for a World Cup participant, and exited at 99th.

A draw with Switzerland proved fortunate, but this stands as the weakest side seen in the event. Qatar struggled across the board, especially in defense: 10 goals allowed, 72 shots faced and 160 touches permitted in their box.

Billions spent for 2022 hosting rights may require doubling to build a capable squad.

Panama

How they got eliminated: Finished last in Group L
Final grade: C-

They produced two of the dullest opening halves and combined for just 33 shots across their first two matches, the lowest total after two rounds. It nearly succeeded.

Panama recorded 38 touches in opposition boxes and allowed only 29 against Ghana and Croatia. Dragging contests into low-event territory made sense given limited attacking options.

Jordan

How they got eliminated: Finished last in Group J
Final grade: C+

Projected 38th entering the event, they lost to Austria and Algeria, exited after two games, yet their ranking held steady. Jordan scored in each match and remained level with 15 minutes remaining.

They also left kind notes and treats in the Algeria locker room. Extra credit applies here.

Tunisia

How they got eliminated: Finished last in Group F
Final grade: F

After a 5-1 opening loss they dismissed manager Sabri Lamouchi, appointed Herve Renard unfamiliar with the squad, then lost 4-0 next. All this preceded facing group leaders the Netherlands.

Tunisia are no newcomers; they earned wins in each of the prior two World Cups and have qualified for six of the last eight editions. Greater composure was expected.

Türkiye

How they got eliminated: Finished last in Group D
Final grade: F

Manager Vincenzo Montella noted, "Not every time the team that plays better wins the game. That's the sport we're playing. That's football." Accurate, except when applied to his side.

Türkiye were unfortunate not to score early but fell behind versus supposedly inferior opponents and resorted to 27 shots from 25 yards or more, exceeding any prior two-match total since 2014.

A squad featuring Kenan Yildiz and Arda Güler needs a stronger response plan.

Haiti

How they got eliminated: Finished last in Group C
Final grade: C-

Haiti began with a 15 percent chance of group advancement in an event where two-thirds advance. They performed solidly versus Scotland, holding 61 percent final-third possession and outshooting 15-9, yet failed to score in a 1-0 loss.

They conceded space to Brazil next and lost 3-0, though tactics might not have altered much. Elimination arrived before their first goal.