The Dark Horses · Nation to Glory

Take Egypt to Glory

“one-hero collectives”

The press pack calls Egypt a hundred million people watching one left foot, and files them as one-hero collectives. The bookmakers put them in the dark horses at 66/1 – 150/1.

▶ Play as Egypt

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, El-Hadary, but he retired before fifty. At the back, Wael Gomaa, but occasionally beatable. Running midfield, Aboutrika, but he celebrates loudly. Up front, Hossam Hassan, but with merely a hundred caps.

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

▶ Play as Egypt

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