The FIFA world cup is now just one month away, and with anticipation for this year's installment of the world's biggest sporting event hotting up, let's take a look at five countries who may just throw a spanner in the works this summer in Russia.
1. Belgium
After a positive performance in Brazil four years ago, where they reached the quarter-final stage, the 'Golden Generation' of Belgian football will be looking to go even further this year. The players have improved since then and with superstars like Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard supplying Romelu Lukaku up front, as well as a solid back line in Thomas Meunier, Vincent Kompany, Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, this year is probably Belgium's best chance to win the trophy.
2. Uruguay
Finishing runners-up in their qualifying group behind Brazil, Uruguay boasts two of the best strikers in Europe in Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez. The latter is the nation's all-time leading goalscorer and has five World Cup goals to his name, having represented his country in South Africa in 2010 and Brazil in 2014. Uruguay is also blessed in the heart of the defence with Atletico Madrid pair Diego Godin and his apprentice, Jose Maria Gimenez. The two have formed a solid partnership over the second half of this season and will look to replicate their fine form coming into the tournament this summer.
3. Croatia
Ever since their miraculous third-place finish in France '98, Croatia seems to have entered every tournament as the fashionable dark horse.
This year, however, they just may be ready to finally step up to the plate. Blessed with the World's best midfielder in Luka Modric, as well as his extremely promising Real Madrid team-mate Mateo Kovacic and club rival Ivan Rakitic, among others, Croatia may have one of the strongest midfields in this summer's tournament.
Along with reported Manchester United target Ivan Perisic and Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic, as well as several promising young players such as Marko Pjaca, Marko Rog and rumoured Real Madrid target Karlo Letica, the Croats might just be the country to look out for in Russia.
4. Argentina
Hear me out on this. While most casual fans would normally have Argentina among the favourites for the tournament; anyone who has followed them since the last World Cup will know that Argentina is not a great side, to say the least.
They were incredibly fortunate to even make the tournament, having been saved by Lionel Messi in their final qualification game, and were absolutely rinsed 6-1 by Spain in a friendly in March. While only a friendly, and without Messi, that sort of drubbing just doesn't instil much confidence in the Argentinian's chances this summer.
In saying all of this, however, they do still possess the greatest player to ever glide across a football pitch, and while Lionel Messi is in your team, there is always a glimmer of hope. He does things no other player could even see, and his ability to influence any game is beyond belief. If he really wants to win a World Cup, you wouldn't bet against him carrying his country to glory in Russia.
5. Colombia
After a stellar showing in 2014 in Brazil, the Colombians will be looking to improve on their narrow quarter-final exit this time around. Captained by the reincarnated Radamel Falcao, backed up by the outstanding James Rodriguez. His performances that summer earned him a move to Real Madrid. Ther are also very talented players such as Jefferson Lerma and Tottenham Hotspurs' Davinson Sanchez. The Latin American outfit will be hoping that they can overcome the ghost of that David Luiz free-kick which knocked them out four years ago.
