The Outsiders · Nation to Glory

Take Slovenia to Glory

“compact overperformers”

The press pack calls Slovenia two million people, one very good goalkeeper, and files them as compact overperformers. The bookmakers put them in the outsiders at 250/1 – 500/1.

▶ Play as Slovenia

The bookmakers

The Outsiders — 250/1 – 500/1

The federation's target

Get out of the group

Your spine, as your predecessor's notes describe it

In goal, Handanović, but chattier. At the back, a wall from Ljubljana. Running midfield, Zahovič, but diplomatic. Up front, Novakovič, but faster.

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

▶ Play as Slovenia

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