Haiti and Turkey have become the first countries to be eliminated from the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States, Canada and Mexico after suffering back-to-back defeats in the group stage.
Haiti’s hopes of reaching the knockout rounds were dashed following a 3-0 loss to Brazil in Group C. The Caribbean nation had earlier lost 1-0 to Scotland, leaving them without a point from two matches and unable to progress to the next round.
Their elimination was effectively sealed after Morocco defeated Scotland, a result that left Haiti with no mathematical chance of finishing in a qualifying position ahead of their final group game.
Turkey also exited the tournament after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Paraguay in Group D. The loss came on the back of an opening 2-0 defeat to Australia, leaving the European side pointless after two matches.
Despite the expanded 48-team format, which allows the top two teams in each group and the eight best third-placed teams to advance, both Haiti and Turkey failed to pick up the results needed to keep their qualification hopes alive.
The two nations are now the first casualties of the 2026 World Cup, while the race for places in the knockout stage continues across the remaining groups.
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Both teams are expected to use their final group matches as an opportunity to restore some pride and give younger players valuable tournament experience. Coaches from both sides have already hinted at possible squad rotations ahead of those fixtures.
The early exits will also spark debate back home, particularly around preparation and squad depth, as both Haiti and Turkey had arrived at the tournament hoping to challenge for progression in the expanded format.
Attention now shifts to how other mid-ranked teams respond under pressure, as the competition intensifies with several groups still tightly contested heading into the final round of matches.
