The Improbables · Nation to Glory

Take Northern Ireland to Glory

“green-and-white army”

The press pack calls Northern Ireland the party starts regardless of the score, and files them as green-and-white army. The bookmakers put them in the improbables at 1000/1 and drifting.

▶ Play as Northern Ireland

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, Pat Jennings, hands like satellite dishes. At the back, a green wall from Windsor Park. Running midfield, Steven Davis, but he raises his voice. Up front, David Healy, but on Tuesdays too.

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

▶ Play as Northern Ireland

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