The 2026 FIFA World Cup has seen its first casualties. Following matches played on Friday and early Saturday European time, Brazil decisively defeated Haiti 3-0, and Paraguay secured a 1-0 victory over Turkey. Consequently, both nations have been eliminated from the competition after playing two of their three group stage matches.
This marked Haiti’s second appearance in the tournament, the first being in 1974. Simply qualifying for this year’s event was a monumental achievement for the small nation, which has been devastated in recent decades by natural disasters (including earthquakes in 2010 and 2021, along with numerous floods and hurricanes) and a profound political vacuum where criminal gangs effectively govern the country (their coach, Sébastien Migné, has never set foot in Haiti). Turkey’s elimination was more unexpected, as it was their first appearance in the World Cup finals since 2002, boasting talented players such as Arda Güler of Real Madrid, Kenan Yıldız of Juventus, and Orkun Kokçu of Beşiktaş. Bad luck played a role; in Saturday’s match, they registered 33 shots, with 6 on target, but ultimately lost due to Matías Galarza’s early goal in the second minute, which allowed Paraguay to retreat into a fully defensive posture. In their previous match, they had 28 shots, 7 on target, against Australia but still suffered a 2-0 defeat.
Turkey will face Morocco in their next game but no longer has any chance of advancing. In the same Group D, the United States became the second nation to qualify for the next stage, following Mexico, after defeating Australia 2-0.