In the build up to the FIFA World Cup most of the attention will be on the big names to deliver which diverts attention away from the outsiders to swoop in . This year will be no different with some of the tourment's less fancied sides having the advantage of nothing to lose and some potential to stun some of the favourites. You can be sure at least one of the dark horses on this list will be out to cause more than a few surprises.
Argentina
The Albiceleste were surprisingly disappointing in their world cup preliminaries leaving it late to qualify after doing the unexpected beating Ecuador 3-1 in Quito.
It was only by the grace of a Lionel Messi hat trick on the day that booked Argentina's place in Russia, and herein lies the Argentines' biggest problem. Despite having a plethora of world class talent only Messi seems to have what it takes to drag the team forward.
Regardless of their shortcomings Argentina are a deadly foe as evidenced by their three successive runners-up finishes at major tournaments including the last world cup.
Argentina with their vastly experienced side could go all the this year, provided they come together as a team as oppose to just laying on the responsibility on Messi's shoulders.
Portugal
The Portugese have been blessed with some exceptional talent over the last few decades with Luis Vigo then and now Cristiano Ronaldo donning the Portugal jersey. However, the one thing they've always been missing is a great team. Over the recent years along with Ronaldo Portugal have only had maybe two or three world class players which hasn't yielded the best results.
Portugal were eliminated in the group stage in Brazil after they'd opened the tournament losing 4-0 to eventual winners Germany.
In 2016 adopting a more pragmatic approach during the Euros, Portugal would reverse their misfortune upsetting France in the final to become European champions.
Pragmatic as they may be Portugal also present a potent attacking threat with the 32 goals they scored from their qualifiers. Ronaldo scored almost half of those (15) and has found a worthy strike partner in Milan's Andre Silva. Joao Mario and Bernardo Silva will be key to Portugal's attack with the wingers looking to set up Ronaldo and Silva in the middle while also having the tricky and unpredictable Ricardo Quaresma as their wild card.
England
Despite playing host to the most watched league in the world, with most of the best players in the world, there's been little joy for English football outside of their sole world cup triumph in 1966.
In recent times they've plodded from one major tournament to next after controversy, and their old foe the penalty shootouts have seen their stay at tournament's end early on.
In Brazil things would take a turn for the worse as Costa Rica upset the odds giving England the boot in the group stage, but the Euro 2016 exit at the hands of Iceland would have stung as it was labelled "most humiliating defeats in the country’s history".
In order to fix that England even though their set-up looks a bit shaky at the back and their midfield options are a bit sketchy will have to rely on a gifted frontline which features some of the hottest property in world football including Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane, Delle Alli and Jesse Lingard.
Special mentions
Uruguay - defensively solid and gritty (goals and controversy Luis Suarez)
Croatia - One of the best midfield combinations (Modric and Rakitic)
Iceland - first world cup appearance (I just wanna see their signature Viking clap)
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