World Cup 2018: 5 underdogs to cheer for

By rehaan díaz

Modified Jul 02, 2018 22:23 GMT

**Underdog nations punch above their weight, by being led by a few world-class performers**

#4 Egypt

**Egypt will look to ride on the devastatingly good form of Mohamed Salah**

Coach: Héctor Cúper | Preferred system 4-2-3-1 | Group A

FIFA Ranking: 46 | Key players: Mahmoud Hassan, Mohamed Salah

Best WC performance Group Stage (1934,1990)

Opening Round Opponents: Uruguay (June 14)| Russia (June 19) | Saudi Arabia (June 25)

Under their Argentine coach, Egypt have been miserly in defence. Defensively they are sorted, but all eyes are on the Ballon d'Or contender and Premier League Golden Boot winner Mohamed Salah. By all indications, he will be fit to play a part in the campaign after a worrying shoulder dislocation in the Champions League final. Egypt, with an energetic battery of attacking mid-fielders, should make it out of their group. Anything beyond that is an upset, but the Pharaohs are a good team to scream for. Back in the World Cup for the first time after 1990, they will look to make their presence felt.

Edited by Arvind Sriram