The Contenders · Nation to Glory

Take Belgium to Glory

“post-golden pragmatists”

Belgium — post-golden pragmatists. A small country with outsized expectations. The bookmakers file them under the contenders at 16/1 – 40/1.

▶ Play as Belgium

The bookmakers

The Contenders — 16/1 – 40/1

The federation's target

The quarter-finals

Your spine

Preud'homme, but taller in goal · Kompany, but without the speeches at the back · Wilmots, but faster in midfield · Luc Nilis, but luckier up front

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 Belgium can go. Free to play, one sitting, no sign-up.

▶ Play as Belgium

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