The Favourites · Nation to Glory

Take Netherlands to Glory

“total-football idealists”

The press pack calls Netherlands beautiful, brilliant, occasionally self-destructive, and files them as total-football idealists. The bookmakers put them in the favourites at 6/1 – 12/1.

▶ Play as Netherlands

The bookmakers

The Favourites — 6/1 – 12/1

The federation's target

The semi-finals, minimum

Your spine, as your predecessor's notes describe it

In goal, van der Sar, but shorter. At the back, Jaap Stam, but he smiles. Running midfield, Davids, but without the goggles. Up front, Kluivert, but punctual.

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

▶ Play as Netherlands

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