Ghana and Cape Verde have emerged as the giant-killers of the World Cup in North America, defying their low FIFA rankings to reach the last 32. Both teams, ranked 73rd and 67th in the world respectively before the tournament, have secured victories and draws against far higher-ranked opponents.
Biggest Ranking Gaps
The chart below highlights the matches with the greatest rankings difference, filtering only those with a gap of more than 30 places. This excludes some notable results, such as Australia's win over Turkey, which fell short of the threshold.
Cape Verde's head coach, Bubista, expressed his pride after his side set up a historic last-32 clash with Argentina. "We have shown that nothing is impossible," he said, reflecting on the team's remarkable achievement.
Ghana's Triumph
Ghana, meanwhile, have also punched above their weight, advancing from a challenging group. Their performances have captivated fans and underscored the unpredictability of the tournament.
These upsets demonstrate that rankings do not always dictate outcomes on the pitch, adding to the drama and excitement of the World Cup.
