Five Dark Horses primed for 2022 World Cup

The tournament kicks off this Sunday when hosts Qatar take on Ecuador.

At every international tournament there are teams that people can’t help but route for as they grab hearts and minds alike, progressing in the tournament knocking out bigger nations where they wouldn’t have been expected to. 

Who could ever forget the Luka Modric led Croatia going all the way to the World Cup final in 2018 or Iceland knocking out Roy Hodgson’s England in the 2016 Euros. 

This year’s FIFA World Cup is no different with plenty of potential surprise packages.

Ahead of the World Cup kick off this weekend, we take a look at the potential dark horses who could go further than expected in the latest rendition of the historic tournament.

1. Senegal

Senegal were perhaps the most unlucky team in Russia four years ago going out on the basis they had more yellow cards than Japan after finishing on the same points and goal difference. In February, Aliou Cisse’s men lifted the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time after overcoming Egypt in a penalty shootout. 

They went unbeaten in every game in the second round of qualifying scoring 15 goals before beating Egypt on penalties to earn qualification. 

Senegal will look to qualify over Qatar and Ecuador and fight with the Dutch for top spot which they should be capable of with champions league level players in every starting position 

Chelsea pair Eduoard Mendy and Khalidou Koulibaly as well as Milans () Fode Ballo-Toure. Balancing this solid defence is an ever reliable superstar in Sadio Mane and an outside prediction for breakout star of the tournament is Watford’s Ismalia Sarr 

2. Denmark

“Ask any football player and he will call it a disaster,” Thomas Delaney said in a documentary about the Qatar World Cup last year. “And that’s how I see it. No one here thinks it is a good idea,” he continued when speaking about the 2022 edition.

Denmark have certainly been the most outspoken of the tournament’s existence but now that they are here, the Euro 2020 semi finalists look a scary proposition especially with their returning captain Christian Eriksen. 

Denmark topped their qualifying group four points ahead of Scotland, winning nine of their 10 games and with a goal difference of +27. With a probable second place finish to France on the cards that would leave them a round of 16 clash with Argentina who look primed to top their group. That scenario wouldn’t frighten the Danes as we saw how they started against favourites England in the Euro 2020. 

And with a team that has most players playing at the highest level on a weekly basis why would they be scared? Expect young Club Brugge player () Skov Olsen to shine against Tunisia and Australia. He and Denmark could also cause France trouble after his fine performances in the Champions league this season 

3. Uruguay

Uruguay have been drawn in probably the most open group in the competition against a tidy Ghana and Korea Republic as well as a Ronaldo inspired Portugal. But Uruguay are still favoured to get out of their group after finishing third in Conmebol World Cup qualifying with a 8-6-4 record.

The team was able to turn it around after a 3-0 loss to Bolivia ended the reign of () Tabárez. New boss Diego Alonso has a record of 7-1-1 since taking over with his only defeat being against Iran and his only draw against the USMNT. 

Uruguay have a thrilling blend of youth and experience with legends like Luis Suarez, Edison Cavani and Diego Godin as well as young stars like Ronald Araujo, Federico Valverde and Darwin Nunez. 

If coach Alonso can blend this well they could definitely top their group over Portugal and set up a clash in the round of 16 against Cameroon. If they finish second in their group a clash against Brazil is their most likely fate. 

Uruguay have a team of stars however and will not be afraid of any of the teams they will face.

4. Morocco

Morocco enjoyed an excellent qualification campaign after winning all six of their group games. The North Africans were perfect, scoring 20 goals on the way to progression and conceding only once. The 5-0 home victory against Guinea-Bissau was their most comfortable result. 

Morocco also have a very experienced squad with key players like () Hakimi on form for their respective clubs. Morocco could certainly challenge an ageing Croatia for second place to Belgium in their group. Croatia went out in the round of 16 of Euro 2020 to a less than perfect Spain side. Plenty of their starters for this tournament are largely the same as four years ago with ageing stars such as Ivan Perisic, Luka Modric and Dejan Lovren not the same players they were in Russia which Morocco could certainly exploit.

5. Cameroon

Cameroon have been given a tough draw in group H alongside Switzerland, Serbia and tournament favourites Brazil with all three nations ranked significantly higher in FIFA’s pre-tournament charts. 

Star man Vincent Aboubakar, lit up the African Cup of Nations, finishing as top scorer with eight goals while Lyon winger Karl Toko Ekambi claimed five to his credit. Also among their player roster are Andre Anguissa, whose masterclass for Napoli has them sitting top of Serie A, as well as Bayern Munich’s on form Eric Choupo-Moting. 

Other notable young talent, will need to be equally on song in Qatar if Cameroon have any chance of qualifying but with young stars like Inter Milan’s Andre Onana and Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo they will fancy themselves for qualifying out of the group with Uruguay the most probable opponent. If they can reach that stage they will look to repeat history by going far in the tournament where they reached the quarter-finals in 1990.