The Dark Horses · Nation to Glory

Take Sweden to Glory

“stubborn blocks of granite”

The press pack calls Sweden organised to the point of provocation, and files them as stubborn blocks of granite. The bookmakers put them in the dark horses at 66/1 – 150/1.

▶ Play as Sweden

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, Ravelli, but relaxed. At the back, Mellberg, but the beard is bigger. Running midfield, Ljungberg, but without the modelling contract. Up front, Zlatan, but humble.

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

▶ Play as Sweden

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