The Dark Horses · Nation to Glory

Take Poland to Glory

“striker-dependent hopefuls”

The press pack calls Poland eleven men and one plan: give it to the big fella, and files them as striker-dependent hopefuls. The bookmakers put them in the dark horses at 66/1 – 150/1.

▶ Play as Poland

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, Tomaszewski, and nobody calls him a clown anymore. At the back, Żmuda, but faster. Running midfield, Boniek, but he left politics at home. Up front, Lato, but with hair.

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

▶ Play as Poland

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