The Contenders · Nation to Glory

Take Belgium to Glory

“post-golden pragmatists”

The press pack calls Belgium a small country with outsized expectations, and files them as post-golden pragmatists. The bookmakers put them in 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, as your predecessor's notes describe it

In goal, Preud'homme, but taller. At the back, Kompany, but without the speeches. Running midfield, Wilmots, but faster. Up front, Luc Nilis, but luckier.

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