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After a very eventful club football season, it is now time to turn our attention to one of the biggest competitions in the game. Yes, the FIFA World Cup is just around the corner and things are getting more exciting day by day.
32 teams will participate in the tournament with the hope of giving their all and making their countries proud. However, there are a few sides with solid squads who have already received the 'World Cup favourites' tag going into the event; Germany, France and Spain to name a few.
While everyone is busy putting their money on these big guns, there are some dark horses in the background who could surprise the football world by taking home the trophy just like that.
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Here are top 5 dark horses in this term's FIFA World Cup:
#5 Switzerland
Led by veteran Stephan Lichtsteiner, Switzerland are placed in Group E along with Brazil, Costa Rica and Serbia. It is certainly not one the easiest groups, but the Rossocrociati have what it takes to qualify to the round of 16 of the tournament.
Switzerland is managed by Vladimir Petkovic, who took charge as the head coach of the side immediately after the 2014 World Cup, and has got a pretty decent record under the 54-year-old. Since the former Lazio manager took over, the team has won 24 of all the 38 games played marking a win record of 63.16%.
La Nati squad has a perfect mixture of experience and prospect. Lichtsteiner, who is expected to join English Premier League club Arsenal, will be leading the side from the back while youngsters like Denis Zakaria will play a crucial part in deciding the team's fate in the tournament.
Star Player - Xherdan Shaqiri
Despite his current club Stoke City being relegated from the Premier League, Xherdan Shaqiri had a decent season as he managed to score eight goals and assist seven more in the league.
The former Bayern Munich player hasn't exactly lived up to the initial expectations but remains as Switzerland's ray of hope in the World Cup.
Shaqiri scored three goals last term and is just four away from breaking the record for the most goals in the tournament by a Swiss player. His team needs him to be on the top of his game to be able to progress to the latter rounds.
#4 Croatia
Placed in group D along with Argentina, Iceland and Nigeria are Croatia. Like Switzerland, the Croats have a tough group in hand, but they have a pretty balanced side that could take them far in the competition.
Croatia is managed by countryman Zlatko Dalic and has been in charge since October 2017. The team has only lost one of the five games that they played after the arrival of the 51-year-old.
Vatreni have got players who have gained experience playing for top teams in Europe's best five leagues. Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Mateo Kovacic, Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Perisic and Dejan Lovren are only a few of them.
If all these stars can find the perfect sync between them, there is no doubt that Croatia is strong enough to pip their group opponents to be come out as leaders.
Star Players - Luka Modric & Ivan Rakitic
Dalic will want the Real Madrid and Barcelona midfield maestros to be firing on all cylinders to increase his hopes of success in the tournament.
Ivan Rakitic won the La Liga title this season, while Luka Modric will be joining the side on the back of yet another UEFA Champions League triumph with Los Blancos.
#3 Colombia
Colombia was not a very fancied side in Brazil last term, but they put in a solid show. Los Cafeteros emerged as the group leaders after they convincingly won all the three matches of the round. A 2-0 victory against Uruguay in the Round of 16 saw them qualify to the quarters, where they were knocked out by Brazil.
Although not a very balanced side, some big names in their attack could do the job for Colombia. The return of Radamel Falcao, who missed out on the last World Cup due to an injury, to lead the team as well as the front line will prove to be a huge confidence boost for the side.
Jose Nestor Pekerman is the manager of this Colombia team and has been occupying the post since 2012. The Argentinean has been with the team for long enough and will know exactly what to do on the big stage.
Los Cafeteros is placed in group H, where they will be facing Senegal, Poland and Japan - a comparatively easier group than the earlier two teams.
Star Man - James Rodriguez
Falcao will be a crucial player in Pekerman's squad, but it is James Rodriguez who will be the star man for Colombia in the World Cup. The 26-year-old's heroics was what inspired the side last term and they will need a repeat of that in Russia as well.
The Bayern Munich loanee, who scored seven goals and assisted eleven from a total of 23 appearances this season in the Bundesliga, will be hoping to return from Russia with a few more of them in the bag.
#2 Uruguay
Uruguay will be going into the tournament as underdogs. However, being placed in a group with Russia, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, qualification to the round of 16 should be a cakewalk for the two time World Cup winners.
Oscar Tabarez, who has been the manager of the side since 2006, will be making the calls from the touchline, while Diego Godin will captain the side.
The presence of Atletico Madrid's Godin and Jose Gimenez will bring solidity to the team's defence, while Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani will be hunting for goals from the front. Inter's Matias Vecino and Juventus' Rodrigo Bentacur are also key figures in the team.
Star Player - Luis Suarez & Edinson Cavani
The prolific attacking duo of Suarez and Cavani is definitely going to be Uruguay's lethal weapon in the World Cup. The two have scored 53 league goals between them for their respective clubs and Tabarez will be hoping that they will be able to reproduce such form at Russia as well.
#1 Portugal
Portugal, often considered a weak team if Cristiano Ronaldo is taken out, have lined up a pretty good squad for this year's World Cup. There is perfect balance between experience and talent in this Portugal side, and could be a strong contender for the trophy despite being the dark horses.
Fernando Santos, who took over as the manager after last World Cup, led the team to glory in the 2016 UEFA Euro held in France. The 63-year-old coach will be highly confident when the tournament kicks-off in Russia and will be hoping to go the distance with the squad he has in hand.
Portugal's attack, constituting of the likes of Gelson Martins, Goncalo Guedes, Bernardo Silva, Andre Silva, Ricardo Quaresma and the 5-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, is definitely a force to reckon with.
Star Player - Cristiano Ronaldo
Well, there are no questions here. After having a slow start to the season, Ronaldo realised the need to step up his game and did so in the latter half of the campaign. The Portuguese forward led Real Madrid to UEFA Champions League victory, also becoming the top scorer in the competition in the process.
Portugal and its fans will be hoping that the 33-year-old brings his A-game with him to Russia and lead the team in the right direction.
