Potential Shocks And Underdog Stories At The World Cup

Qatar is the host of the Middle East’s first World Cup

For a month, the world’s eyes will be turned towards a small Middle Eastern country that by hook or by crook, and with the small help of more than $200 billion, is staging the biggest sporting tournament in the world. The 64 games will come thick and fast, often four a day. It is heaven for football fans, especially those who will be “working from home.” It is also a time when bookmakers pull out all the stops when it comes to offers and bonuses, so having a few potential upsets up your sleeve is no bad thing.

Shocks at the World Cup are a regular occurrence. A combination of high-profile players wilting under the intense pressure, combined with the fact that, with very few exceptions, even in a 32-team tournament, everyone on their day is capable of inflicting a bloody nose on their opposition. So where could the upsets occur this time out?

Could Portugal or Belgium have a shot?

Most people would have the final four coming from any combination of France, Brazil, Argentina, England, Spain and Germany. On the periphery of that group are Portugal and Belgium.

Those last two are interesting. This really is the last roll of the dice for Roberto Martínez’s Belgium side. Sat on top of the FIFA rankings for so much of the last decade, when push has come to shove they have been found wanting. The pressure and expectation will only be greater in Qatar, and though Belgium undoubtedly have some brilliant players, the jury is still very much out on whether they will be able to transfer that potential into silverware.

This will be also be Ronaldo’s last World Cup with Portugal, in a tournament that will also bid farewell to Messi and Robert Lewandowski. If Portugal can shrug off their reliance on the wantaway Manchester United forward, but still use his obvious talents, they could have their best World Cup yet. Portugal have a very talented, young side, and though this competition may have come a couple of years too early for the team to fully mature, the key factor will be whether they are able to come out from under Ronaldo’s shadow.

Eight purpose-built stadia have been created. Will any be the venue of another shock?

Outside chances

Outside of the teams mentioned, there are a couple of other countries that could have a real impact in Qatar. Denmark went into the Euros with high hopes. There is little doubt what happened to Eriksen derailed his teammates, but this time they should be able to show just how good they are on the sport’s grandest stage. Denmark come into the tournament in terrific form, with two victories over France in the Nations League this year.

Switzerland are another side that will very likely surprise a few people. They won their qualification group, in the process consigning Italy to their second consecutive World Cup absence. The Swiss have always been solid and workmanlike, but now they have added guile and creativity to their play. They have been drawn in an extremely tough group, alongside Brazil, Serbia and Cameroon, which will see their odds of getting out temptingly long.

If you are looking for very dark horses, then Group A is the place to go. A young Ecuador side looked impressive and free-scoring in qualifying. Also in their group, Qatar may well surprise people in this tournament, and not just by the fact that they are hosting it.

Fancied teams that could fall short

On the flip side, there is always a fancied team that has a nightmare tournament. France and England arrive in Qatar in very poor form.

Brazil and Argentina are both looking good on paper, but a deeper dive into their recent performances reveals cracks that can and may well be exploited. If Brazil don’t win this World Cup, it will be 24 years since they last lifted the trophy. That will be playing on their minds, not least on Neymar’s who won’t want to follow in the footsteps of Messi and Ronaldo, neither of whom have ever won the greatest achievement in the sport they have always excelled in.

The time for talk and speculation is over, and new stories will be written in the World Cup annals. Whatever happens, the final will take place on December 18th, just enough time for everyone to reset for the festive period, perhaps with an old classic revisited.