The Dark Horses · Nation to Glory

Take Australia to Glory

“scrappy overachievers”

The press pack calls Australia never met a lost cause they didn't fancy, and files them as scrappy overachievers. The bookmakers put them in the dark horses at 66/1 – 150/1.

▶ Play as Australia

The bookmakers

The Dark Horses — 66/1 – 150/1

The federation's target

The round of 16

Your spine, as your predecessor's notes describe it

In goal, Schwarzer, but the cap collection is bigger. At the back, Craig Moore, but calmer. Running midfield, Kewell, but never injured. Up front, Viduka, but he sprints.

One World Cup, forty-odd decisions, no second leg. Pick the shape, name the squad, make the calls from the touchline, and see how far Australia can go. Free to play, one sitting, no sign-up.

▶ Play as Australia

The Favourites · 6/1 – 12/1

ArgentinaBrazilFranceEnglandSpainGermanyPortugalNetherlands

The Contenders · 16/1 – 40/1

ItalyBelgiumCroatiaUruguayMoroccoColombiaUSAMexicoJapanSwitzerlandDenmarkSenegal

The Dark Horses · 66/1 – 150/1

NorwayAustriaUkraineTurkeySwedenPolandSerbiaSouth KoreaAustraliaIranEcuadorNigeriaEgyptAlgeriaScotlandHungaryCzechiaGreeceIvory CoastCanada

The Outsiders · 250/1 – 500/1

WalesPeruChileParaguayTunisiaCameroonGhanaMaliCosta RicaQatarSaudi ArabiaSlovakiaSloveniaRomaniaIrelandNorth MacedoniaBosnia & HerzegovinaGeorgiaFinlandIceland

The Improbables · 1000/1 and drifting

AlbaniaNorthern IrelandIraqUAEUzbekistanJordanBurkina FasoDR CongoSouth AfricaCape VerdePanamaJamaicaHondurasEl SalvadorVenezuelaBoliviaNew ZealandChinaOmanHaiti