The Dark horses for next year’s World Cup

The dust has almost settled on the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign. 21 teams have already booked their tickets to the World Cup while by 19th November we will know the identity of the remaining 11 teams who will be going to Brazil. This qualifying campaign have been a fascinating affair with Bosnia and Herzegovina, 20 years on from the Balkans bloodshed,
finally put aside their dark past to qualify for their maiden World Cup and are ready to rival world’s top teams in Brazil while Iceland may become the smallest country to qualify for the World Cup if they can negotiate the two legged play-off in November. Whereas in Africa, unheralded Burkina Faso may reach their maiden World Cup if they can see-off Algeria. People may have written off Jordan in their two legged play-off against Uruguay but history is replete with many instances where David slays the Goliath. 

The usual suspects Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Italy and Netherlands will no doubt be favourites to win the World Cup but let us have a look at the teams who can spring a surprise or two in next year’s quadrennial showpiece.

1. Belgium
Historically overshadowed by their more illustrious Dutch neighbours, Belgium aims to change it this time around. Slowly but surely, Belgium is looking set to establish itself as a major force in European and World football for the foreseeable future. The secret to Belgium’s recent surge is an overwhelming array of talent across the pitch. Belgium currently have an ideal blend of youth and experience in their squad and stars such as Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany, Christian Benteke, Thibaut Courtois, Jan Vertonghen, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku have many people excited about what the ‘Red Devils’ can achieve in Brazil 2014.

2. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Four years ago Bosnia and Herzegovina reached their first play-off, losing 1-0 home and away to Portugal, and in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying the same nation beat them at the same stage after France had pipped Safet Susic’s side in their group. But this time around, the Bosnians did not disappoint as they lit up the qualifying with some dazzling attacking football as they amassed 29 goals in 10 matches. Edin Dzeko and Vedad Ibisevic form the most dangerous strike force in the world as they scored 18 goals between themselves in the qualifying (Dzeko 10, Ibisevic 8). In Miralem Pjanic and Zvedan Misimovic, they have two peerless midfielders and in the goal they have ultra reliable Asmir Begovic. So if you’re looking for an outsider to take a few teams by surprise then Bosnia and Herzegovina could fit the bill as they have the ability to defeat any team on their day.

3. Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast have not yet booked their place in the World Cup but after their 3-1 victory over Senegal in the first leg of the two legged play-off, they are favourite to go through to their 3rd successive World Cup. Ivory Coast had been the unluckiest teams in the last two world cups as even though entering the last two World Cups with squads that could have made an impact the draws for the group stages have hindered their progression. In 2006 they were in a group also occupied by Argentina and Holland, and then in 2010 they were in a group containing Brazil and Portugal.
On paper, Ivory Coast are the best team in Africa and they have the ability to make an impact in the 2014 World Cup. They have a balanced squad with an ideal blend of youth and experience. Gervinho, Cheik Tiote and Wilfred Bony have emerged to become integral part of the team. The likes of the experienced heads Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure and Salomon Kalou, who on their day can win a game single-handed, are probably entering their last World Cup and will therefore be motivated to go out and leave an impression on the world stage.

4. Colombia
Colombia had last qualified for the World Cup in 1998. However they are more than capable of making amends for their absence in next year’s World Cup. In Falcao they have arguably the best penalty box poacher in world football at the moment, and Monaco teammate James Rodriguez has left a big impression around Europe. Due to the climate, and the fact that no European team has won a World Cup on South American soil, Colombia are in a strong position to go deep into the tournament next year in Brazil. In Jose Perkermen, Colombia has an experienced manager who had taken the Argentinean side to the quarter finals of the 2006 World Cup, and if qualification form is anything to go by, he is well placed to possibly eclipse this achievement this time around with Colombia. Keep an eye out for this side in Brazil, it would be no surprise to see this side cause a few upsets.

5. Chile
Chile plays arguably the most entertaining football among all the international teams. Full of pace, movement and attacking intent, Jorge Sampaoli’s Chile are a delight to watch. Their aggressive approach will make them the neutrals’ favourites in next year’s World Cup. In Alexis Sanchez and Eduardo Vargas, Chile have two extremely dangerous strikers. In the midfield, Arturo Vidal and Jorge Valvidia maintain the high tempo game. The rampaging right-back Mauricio Isla can cause havoc with his dangerous run into the opponent’s half and his dangerous crosses. But for all the attacking power, Chile’s defense look hardly convincing and this was highlighted in their last week’s World Cup qualifier against Colombia by them throwing away a three goal cushion. If they can rectify the defensive frailties then they can surely hope to go very far in next year’s quadrennial showpiece.