{"id":148,"date":"2026-08-13T17:20:54","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T17:20:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/attitudeshayari2line.com\/news\/?p=148"},"modified":"2026-08-13T17:20:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T17:20:54","slug":"the-coincidence-that-made-people-think-norway-could-win-the-2026-fifa-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/attitudeshayari2line.com\/news\/sports\/the-coincidence-that-made-people-think-norway-could-win-the-2026-fifa-world-cup\/","title":{"rendered":"The coincidence that made people think Norway could win the 2026 FIFA World Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"

Football fans have always loved strange statistics and unlikely patterns. During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, one of the tournament’s most talked-about coincidences involved Japan. This, unexpectedly turned Norway into a favorite in the eyes of many superstitious supporters. And at the <\/span>1xBet site<\/span><\/a> you will also be able to bet on all matches of the Norwegian national side.<\/span><\/p>\n

The trend, often called the “Japan omen,” dates back to the 2002 World Cup. Since then, every time Japan has reached the knockout stage, the team that eliminated the Samurai Blue has eventually been knocked out by the nation that went on to lift the World Cup trophy. Speaking about the Japanese national side, the <\/span>site 1xBet<\/span> website is perfect to bet on them too<\/span><\/p>\n

The sequence began in 2002, when Japan lost to Turkey in the Round of 16. Turkey’s remarkable run ended in the semifinals against Brazil, who became world champions. 8 years later, at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Paraguay eliminated Japan on penalties before losing to eventual champions Spain in the quarter-finals.<\/span><\/p>\n

The pattern continued in 2018. Japan came within seconds of upsetting Belgium before conceding a dramatic stoppage-time winner. Belgium later lost to France in the semifinals, and France went on to claim the title. The coincidence repeated itself again in 2022, when Croatia defeated Japan in a penalty shootout before falling to Argentina in the semifinals. Lionel Messi’s Argentina would eventually win the World Cup.<\/span><\/p>\n

What happened in the most recent competition<\/span><\/h2>\n

By the time the 2026 tournament arrived, fans were already watching to see if the streak would continue. Japan once again reached the knockout rounds but was eliminated by Brazil. Days later, Norway produced one of the biggest surprises of the tournament by defeating the 5-time world champions in the Round of 16. Suddenly, social media exploded with jokes and predictions. If history repeated itself, Norway, the team that had eliminated Japan’s conqueror, would become the next world champion.<\/span><\/p>\n

The coincidence quickly went viral, and some people seemingly became genuinely convinced by it. However, this coincidence broke in the quarter-finals, as England eliminated Norway from the World Cup after a 2-1 victory. Obviously, this prevented the Norwegians from winning the 2026 World Cup and continuing the tradition.<\/span><\/p>\n

In reality, Norway’s success had far more to do with its talented squad than any statistical quirk. They are led by:<\/span><\/p>\n