Every World Cup build-up includes the search for dark horses capable of making a deep run. It was Morocco in 2022, Croatia in 2018, Costa Rica in 2014, and Paraguay in 2010.
Go back further and South Korea and Turkey were surprise semi-finalists in 2002, while Sweden and Bulgaria reached the last four in 1994 and Poland finished third in 1982.
So, which team will exceed expectations in North America this summer?
Switzerland
Switzerland makes this list largely because of its draw. The Swiss have a great chance to win Group B, which includes Canada, Qatar, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
That would likely set up a Round of 32 matchup against a third-place team, followed by the winner of Group K, most likely Portugal or Colombia.
Portugal may have more talent, but they are still a nation with just one World Cup knockout win since 2006. Colombia has only one knockout victory ever.
Switzerland went unbeaten in qualifying and has reached the quarterfinals of the last two European Championships. This is a balanced, experienced squad with a realistic path to make a deep run.
Norway
If Norway finishes second in its group, a Round of 32 matchup with Ecuador is likely. It’s their first World Cup since 1998 and only their fifth major tournament appearance, but a team led by Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard is difficult to overlook.
This is not just a two-man squad though. Norway has experience throughout the lineup, from goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland to Premier League regulars Kristoffer Ajer and Sander Berge.
They topped their qualifying group with a perfect record, finishing ahead of Italy. Norway scored 37 goals along the way, including two emphatic wins over the Azzurri.
There are still questions given the lack of recent tournament experience, but this is a team capable of pulling off multiple upsets.
Japan
Japan has reached the knockout stage in all but two World Cups since 1998. They also beat England and Scotland during the March international break, following wins over Brazil, Ghana, and Bolivia in October and November.
They showed what they can do on the biggest stage in 2022, beating Germany and Spain. Hajime Moriyasu has proven to be a highly adaptable manager, shifting from a possession-based approach in qualifying to a disciplined low block that maximizes Japan’s counterattacking strengths.
Group F is not an easy draw, with the Netherlands, Sweden, and Tunisia, but Japan is capable of winning it and setting up a favorable knockout matchup.
A team with multiple wins over top opponents in recent years has to be viewed as a legitimate dark horse.
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