5 underdogs to watch out for in the 2018 FIFA World Cup

The World Cup kicks off on 14th June at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow next year. With the qualifiers wrapped up, and several big teams making it to the Finals again, a few underdogs found their way through the gruesome qualifiers to make it to the Main Event.

While some of the neutrals will be disappointed by the absence of top sides like Italy, Netherlands and Chile, the presence of some of the lesser known countries does add a feel-good factor.

Let's have a look at 5 unexpected entries to the 2018 World Cup:

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#5 Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia were the AFC Third Round Group B runner-ups, earning a ticket to Russia

Making their way through the AFC Qualifiers, the Asians were managed by former Argentina manager Edgardo Bauza after the sacking of Bert van Marwijk. Bauza didn't last all the long, mind you, and was sacked yesterday. Earning the ticket to only the fifth World Cup in the nation's history, the Green Falcons return to the big stage after 12 years and sitting out of the tournament's last two editions.

Promoting FIFA's bid to promote the sport in Asia and the Middle East, the Saudi Arabia national team would be carrying the hopes of over 33 million enthusiastic people from the country.

Al-Suqour would be aiming to gain the attention of the world in the global tournament. Saudi Arabia's best performance in a World Cup came back in 1994 US World Cup when they got through to the last 16, only to be beaten by Sweden at Dallas.

#4 Egypt

Over 90,000 supporters crowded in the Borg El-Arab Stadium to support their nation against Congo

On an emotional night for all of Egypt, the country was sent into raptures when Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah's last-minute penalty found its way to bottom right corner of the net.

The first African team to ever qualify for the World Cup, Egypt have had to wait to return to the World Cup after 27 years! The Egyptians will go to Russia under Hector Cuper's guidance and Essam El-Hadary's leadership. The national team led by the tireless Mo Salah could be a force to be reckoned with at Russia as they aim to forget past performances of their country in the World Cup and make it through the group stages for the first time.

Egypt finished second in their latest bid for the African Cup of Nations, the continental tournament they returned to following seven years of absence after their glory era spanning from 2006 to 2010. The Egyptians are the most successful team in the history of the African competition and could spark up serious competition in next year's FIFA World Cup.

In only their third World Cup appearance, The Pharaohs are ranked 30th in FIFA's World Ranking and could be reasons for some major upsets at next year's main event in Russia.

#3 Iceland

Iceland surprised quite a few in the Euros, can they do the same on Russia?

In a UEFA Qualification Group alongside Croatia, Ukraine, and Turkey, Iceland confirmed their qualification by finishing top of their group after beating Kosovo 2-0 at home.

"We will be in an even better position to continue to work with the clubs in Iceland to help them produce quality players, both men and women. That way, we can hopefully prove again to all that getting to the Euros and the World Cup were not flukes." - Gudni Bergsson, former Iceland captain and current president of the Icelandic Football Association

Iceland's qualification means they would travel to Russia next year to compete in their first-ever World Cup, and second major International tournament following a surprise run to the Quarters of last year's Euro.

"It means the world. For years we have watched the major tournaments on television. People would choose their sides and which countries to support. Now we are actually going there." - Gudni Bergsson comments over his nation's qualification to Russia

Requiring all three points to secure the top spot, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Johann Gudmundsson scored in Reykjavik to send the country into party mood after their qualification. Supporters celebrated their country's achievement across the nation. Iceland's qualification makes them the smallest country in terms of population to advance to the World Cup.

#2 Senegal

Sadio Mane will be a key player for Senegal come Russia

The Lions of Teranga return to the World Cup after an 18-year break. The Senegal national team first made it to the showpiece event back in 2002, a campaign which would be remembered for their surprising victory over then World and European champions, France, and a shock run all the way to the final eight.

The Aliou Cissé led team earned their ticket to Russia after defeating South Africa 2-1 on November 10, 2017. Senegal made it to World Cup after a tough qualification and their victory against South Africa that came late in the injury time. Kara netted in a historic goal for his nation in the 93rd minute.

The team is highly dependent on talismanic forwards Moussa Sow and Sadio Mané, the Liverpool frontman. The team would be led by Cheikhou Kouyaté, who is a central midfielder for English club West Ham United.

It was quite special - it was fun. I enjoyed, my teammates, the fans - they enjoyed too." - Senegal midfielder Papa Ndiaye after the victory over South Africa

Manager Aliou has experience of playing for top sides, including Paris Saint-Germain, and his know-how was key in Senegal's recent revival of form. The National Team achieved an all-time low in FIFA Rankings in 2013 but the side are now ranked 32, only eight places behind the nation's best-ever ranking of 26.

Les Lions de la Teranga could pull off a few shocks in their second ever World Cup appearance as they have some really talented players at their disposal.

#1 Panama

Panama will travel to a World Cup finals for the first time

A country distinctively famous for the Panama Canal, Román Torres' 88th-minute winner for Panama in their final Hex Qualification match against Costa Rica sent them to the World Cup and cemented their name in the record books. Excitement took over the streets of Panama as enthusiastic football fans celebrated their team's achievement late into the night.

The president of Panama declared the following Wednesday to be a national holiday after the country qualified for the World Cup for the first time ever. On a controversial night at Estadio Rommel Fernández in Panama City, Roman Torres' last-gasp winner sent the United States out of the World Cup.

The World Cup in Russia starts on 14 June 2018 and the Panamese players are more than enthusiastic to travel to the finals for the first time, backed by millions of home fans as football slowly expands its roots in the country.

The team will be coached by Hernán Darío Gómez, one of only three managers to have led three different countries to the FIFA World Cup. The two others to have done so are Henri Michel and Carlos Queiroz.