The World Cup is full of surprises. One favorite might emerge victorious, yet there’s usually a heavy-hitter that gets knocked out early.
Take Germany, for example; they faced early exits in both 2018 and 2022 after winning the trophy in 2014. It’s hard to forget how defending champions Spain also went down quickly in 2014 along with other big names like Italy and England.
Four years ago, things were a bit chaotic for France, who couldn’t make it past the group stage partially because their players seemed to rebel against Coach Raymond Domenech.
For fans participating in World Cup pools over the next few weeks, it’s just as crucial to pick the right teams to avoid as it is to choose the ones that will advance.
Two teams really stand out this time around.
England (+650)
England comes in with a talented squad, but that talent brings significant pressure, especially as they aim for their first trophy since 1966. Unfortunately, they’ve landed in a tougher group than anticipated. They kick off in Dallas against Croatia, a team that’s been a strong contender in the last two World Cups.
Next, they head to Boston to meet Ghana, coached by the often-conservative Carlos Queiroz. England is expected to walk away with victories in both matches, and they’re big favorites against Panama in New Jersey on June 27. But I wouldn’t count on it being straightforward.
Under new coach Thomas Tuchel, England seems to struggle against teams that defend deeply. Ghana and Panama might try to exploit these weaknesses. Croatia, with their strong cohesion and talent, certainly has the potential to pull off an upset.
If England stumbles against Croatia right out of the gate, the pressure on Tuchel and his squad will ramp up quickly. That might actually relieve some of the tension given the number of new players in the lineup.
Should the three lions manage to win their group, they might find themselves facing Mexico in the Round of 16 at Estadio Azteca. Navigating through Mexico is notoriously tough—fans are passionate, and the high altitude, reaching 7,200 feet, adds another layer of challenge.
Netherlands (18/1)
The Netherlands, under Ronald Koeman, has seen success in recent tournaments, reaching the quarter-finals in 2022 and the semi-finals in Euro 2024. Expectations are high as they prepare for North America.
This team, known for their skill, will face a tough road to escape the group stage. They start against Japan, which might just turn out to be one of the standout matches. The samurai blue are seen as a dark horse after pulling off significant upsets against Spain and Germany in 2022.
With Japan’s fast-paced, energetic style, the Netherlands could be at risk during transitions. Their second game against Sweden also poses a threat; a slip-up against Japan could be devastating. The Swedes, despite recent qualification luck, still have standout players like Alexander Isak and Viktor Gökeres.
It would indeed be surprising if the clockwork orange doesn’t progress past the group stage, but it certainly won’t be a walk in the park.
