3 Dark Horse countries who could win the World Cup

The FIFA World Cup is drawing ever closer, with excitement really starting to build on amongst the entire football fraternity. The ongoing international friendlies give every coach a chance to try and test different players, tactics and formations before he jets for Russia.

There are clear favourites to win the tournament, as world powers like Germany, Spain and Brazil look likely to march ahead in the tournament. While there will be no end of discussion and chattering about favourties for the glitz and glamour event, there are also going to be teams that would surely love to spring a surprise in Russia.

It is always easy to predict the favourites but much more difficult to expect how well the ‘dark horse’ teams will perform in Russia this year. Of the 32 teams qualified for the World Cup, I have identified three teams that will enter the tourney as ‘dark horses’ and stun the bystanders, making the betting and prediction even harder.  Here are the three teams I feel have a great chance to defy the odds and can beat most of the teams in their group.

1. Egypt

Egypt will enter the World Cup on excellent form and boasting in their lineup will be an incredibly gifted player capable of dragging his team single-handedly to World Cup glory. That name is Mohamed Salah, Egypt’s best player by a country mile. The Liverpool winger has been a revelation in the Premier League this campaign and has earned a lot of plaudits.

Salah has the potential to pull his team deep into the tournament and punch above his weight during the group phase that will have the likes of Russia, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. That isn’t a tough group by any means and that leaves Egypt with a golden opportunity to go deep in the tournament. But for defying the odds, they will surely need their charismatic figure to deliver in every single game.

2. Croatia

Croatia are a well-oiled side than many think but will face a daunting task when they will come up against Brazil, Nigeria and Iceland. While Nigeria and Iceland have all the artillery to spring a surprise, Brazil considered as hot favourites in the World Cup, where does it leave Croatia?

The Croatians have nothing to fear and in Luka Modric, Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Rakitic and Ivan Perisic, they have a formidable side capable of beating any team on their day. They will surely draw love from their fans and that should be enough for Croatia to make a mark, and who knows, can go onto win the World Cup.

3. Australia

It would be the biggest shock in World Cup history if Australia made it to the World Cup final, but they may just have a better tournament than expected. The ‘Socceroos’ have managed to qualify for every FIFA World Cup since 2006 but they have failed to lay down a marker.

In the 2014 World Cup, Australia locked horns with the likes of Chile, Netherlands and Spain in the group phase, failing to win a single game. However, the fans will feel the current side have come a long way from their last dismal outing in the World Cup.

This time around against the likes of France, Peru and Denmark, the Socceroos have a brilliant chance to progress from the group stage and once they enter the knockouts, can upset anyone they face.