The Improbables · Nation to Glory

Take DR Congo to Glory

“leopards reborn”

The press pack calls DR Congo Kinshasa believes, loudly, and files them as leopards reborn. The bookmakers put them in the improbables at 1000/1 and drifting.

▶ Play as DR Congo

The bookmakers

The Improbables — 1000/1 and drifting

The federation's target

Compete with dignity — a point gets framed

Your spine, as your predecessor's notes describe it

In goal, Kidiaba, but he bounces higher. At the back, a defender Kinshasa built to last. Running midfield, a midfielder with rumba in his first touch. Up front, Shabani Nonda, 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 DR Congo can go. Free to play, one sitting, no sign-up.

▶ Play as DR Congo

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