In The 2022 FIFA World Cup | Who Are The Darkhorse Squads

The Round of 16 saw the Blazers defeat Denmark 3-2 in penalty shootout. They had been tied 1-1 after regulation and extended time.

[{"selector":"#anim-684c4e7b-f16a-49db-8054-afae6949132b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":2500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-13f67e1c-59ba-4e45-945b-79b36a3bb224","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 199.46725%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":2500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

When it comes to analyzing potential darkhorses in Europe, there are only two nations that stand out.

[{"selector":"#anim-ef378ec6-e30e-4a49-8284-db74462c379f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":2500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9dbaf35f-9dd3-45cf-98c9-e463f7186c02","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 248.90788%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":2500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Denmark is also a top European darkhorse. Serbia has the highest-end quality but Denmark is more balanced at nearly all positions.

[{"selector":"#anim-d7af16ad-74fa-44b1-bcf8-643caa35f917","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":2500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-75bcd6f4-2adb-4995-bb93-339961f58f23","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 199.46725%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":2500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Uruguay is not technically considered a dark horse due to its international heritage, but Uruguay's team is well-balanced and will be difficult to beat.

[{"selector":"#anim-0ed5cc2a-d102-4558-8c7e-cb99833b2d7a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":2500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4113232b-1344-4925-b337-e49bfcbe8099","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 165.46721%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":2500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

It was difficult for African nations to progress in 2018, with no of the five teams reaching the top of their respective group.

[{"selector":"#anim-ca9a2cce-18d3-491f-968c-f608342a60af","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":2500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9df14981-789d-403b-925a-d89ebb521bd0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 199.46725%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":2500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Group H is home to another dark horse. Ghana is a country with some interesting players. Thomas Partey (Arsenal), who will be playing alongside the Ayew brothers Andre (Al Sadd)

[{"selector":"#anim-b0415fc9-dee4-4067-b467-758c7d463fab","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":2500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dcb58127-4596-42ea-a6de-e29191842bfb","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 140.68705%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":2500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ko Ikatura are Japan's two top defenders. Japan is in Group E along with Spain

[{"selector":"#anim-b55009d7-c829-4090-8802-2b38ed5de4d0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":2500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7916356f-fdec-4e91-9f55-1025f9bd5356","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 248.90788%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":2500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

The Swiss are known for having some surprises in international tournaments. Granit Xhaka, Arsenal's captain

[{"selector":"#anim-13406042-6b8e-401d-8a00-22f07f95dbc4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":2500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4563a567-bca5-4fa4-af2b-277b9bbd408c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 199.46725%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":2500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]