To find the World Cup's Cinderellas, we have to start with the group stage

A general view of exterior FIFA World Cup 2026 signage at Kansas City Stadium on June 08, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images The following was originally published in the Up First newsletter as part of the NPR Network's coverage of the World Cup, Soccer Edition. For more updates from Juliana throughout the games,