12 June 2026
World Cup hosts that failed to get out of the group
Hosting is supposed to be an advantage, and most hosts have at least reached the knockouts. Two did not.
| Host | Year |
|---|---|
| South Africa | 2010 |
| Qatar | 2022 |
South Africa in 2010 were the first host ever to exit in the group stage; Qatar followed in 2022. With three hosts in 2026, the USA, Mexico and Canada will all be desperate to avoid joining that short, unwanted list.
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