The Contenders · Nation to Glory

Take Croatia to Glory

“midfield marathon men”

Croatia — midfield marathon men. Four million people, infinite extra times. The bookmakers file them under the contenders at 16/1 – 40/1.

▶ Play as Croatia

The bookmakers

The Contenders — 16/1 – 40/1

The federation's target

The quarter-finals

Your spine

Ladić, but louder in goal · Šimić, but meaner at the back · Prosinečki, but he enjoys training in midfield · Šuker, but two-footed 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 Croatia can go. Free to play, one sitting, no sign-up.

▶ Play as Croatia

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