5 Minnows who could qualify for the World Cup knockout stages

#1 Senegal

Can Senegal repeat the heroics from the 2002 World Cup?

Senegal made a huge impression in their first appearance at the World Cup back in 2002, defeating the then reigning champions France in the opening match and then going on to reach the quarter-finals before falling to a narrow defeat to Turkey.

The Lions of Teranga had, however, failed to qualify for any of the subsequent tournaments before they booked their place at Russia 2018 by emerging as the undefeated winner of a group that also featured Burkina Faso, Cape Verde and South Africa.

Their reward is a place in Group H, alongside Poland, Colombia and Japan. It is not an easy draw by any means, but the four teams are close enough in quality that Senegal will have a solid chance of going through if they can maintain the defensive solidity they showed in qualifying. Especially so if one or more of their talented but inconsistent forwards also hit form at the right time.