The group stage of a World Cup can represent something very different things for different teams at the tournament. For some, it is the pinnacle of the tournament as they have no real expectation of progression and any goal and point can be celebrated.
For others, it is viewed as a formality to get through in one piece and begin the real march towards the final. That is why, when a major side gets knocked out in the group stages, it causes such a shockwave across the world. It is a reminder that the group stage waits for no one.
Here is a collection of some shocking group stage exits from World Cups over the years.
It barely gets more dramatic than France’s 2010 campaign in South Africa. A number of players were sent home or refused to play, there was a dressing room revolt, and all relations between the team and the media were completely severed.
Les Bleus finished bottom of Group A with one point having drawn with Uruguay, lost to Mexico and then lost to South Africa.
England were not really one of the favourites heading to Brazil in 2014, but they were expected to get out of the group, even if it was a tough one.
It featured Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica although it was not a good iteration of Italy, who also went out. England were very poor and were knocked out after losing to both Italy and Uruguay, setting up a dead rubber against Costa Rica that ended 0-0.
The commonly talked-about curse of World Cup winners going out in the following group stage came true for Germany in Russia. They were drawn in a relatively friendly-looking group of South Korea, Sweden and Mexico.
A loss to Mexico and a last-minute winner against Sweden meant Germany had a great chance of still progressing when they faced South Korea, but two goals in the 94th and 96th minutes sent Joachim Low’s side home early.
Another example of the curse here. Italy were champions in 2006, but they had a shocking tournament in 2010 that only didn’t get as much coverage because France, the 2006 finalists, were even worse.
They were given a dream group. Slovakia, Paraguay, and New Zealand. Italy managed to draw with Paraguay and New Zealand before losing dramatically 3-2 against Slovakia in…
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