So, what was it that made Croatia as the only one cinderella in last 6 WC to make it into the Final, and what team mimicks that to be their succeeder?
Brackets fell in Croatia’s favor. That has to be emphasized and is difficult to discuss or emulate. Other than that they were veteran team with midfielders who were absolutely great. Playing at some of the best Club teams on the planet. Good leadership on and off the field. Knowing their strengths and their identity. A Gritty team that knew how to take advantage of opposition mistakes. Or take it to penalties. Great mentality and team spirit for a Euro team. Not sure there is any team like them this tournament.
I would put Japan, Morocco, and Senegal all above Uruguay and probably even Colombia who have fallen off since the Copa.
Those teams you mentioned seem to also suffer outside of their time zones/ continents. The “too hot in USA. “ excuse is also not just bantered about by Euro fans. If this World Cup were in Asia or Europe or Africa I would be tempted to put them ahead as favorites. But as we saw in Brasil 2014 Latin American teams seem to rise up to the occasion on this side of the pond.
Colombia seems to have righted back the ship since Copa America. Outplaying Argentina in the Monumental for some stretches. And now kicking some arse against the teams battling for the last playoff spot this window. I think we will be okay with some fine tuning in friendlies and basically being the Fourth Home team come ‘26.
Dominating a continental tournament isn't necessarily indicative of anything in a world cup. How has Greece faired at world cups ? How about Italy ? They haven't made a WC Knockout round since 2006. Yet they were Euro champions. In 2006 the Czechs who were the Cinderella story of the previous Euro were thrashed by a Ghana team who were eliminated in the first round of that years AFCON. Morocco did better in the past world cup than they have done in AFCONS for literally decades. On paper, and in reality Japan, Senegal, Morocco are all better than Uruguay. On paper all those teams are better than Colombia. As for who is better between them in reality, there's an argument to be made either way.
Uruguay still has the "garra charrúa“ attitude and spirit. The tenacity and mindset that sometimes is the difference against Asian and African teams. (And of course gamesmanship, handballs and dark arts of the game I despise yet they find effective. )
Obviously surprise results are always possible but the point is that Morocco's overall body of work is very much comparable to other traditional African powerhouses of course but nothing much more than that. Or are we actually seriously arguing that Morocco will find it easier to win a WC than an AFCON? Lmao My personal prediction is that Morocco will max out next year at a R16 finish.
Of course I'm not saying afcon is harder to win. I'm saying things aren't so black and white or apparently logical when it comes to soccer.
The thing is historically Uruguay is a much proven team than any Asian or African team. So they are proven outside their region. I think Colombia and Japan are fighting against their history. Countries that have grow a lot and want to take the next step and prove they can perform consistently in the WC and win it in the future (Especially Japan which has been in the WC since France 98). I'm not including Morocco and Senegal because I know nothing about them outside the WCs, but they could be in the same situation as Colombia and Japan.
Mmm, you're forgetting that the best Moroccan players developed in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Spain, for about 95% donot look at those countries national teams first and if not good enough, turn to Morocco. Morocco is in the very comfortable position, compared to other countries betting on dual nats, that for the best Moroccan players Morocco is their first choice.
It is just difficult for me to pick Morocco to go on a run like they did last WC. Many bounces of the ball went their way, Bono stood on his head in many key situations and they fed off the energy of great supporters in Qatar. I think it is asking a lot of them to say that they can make it back to a Semi again.
Probably, but Morocco was also quite unlucky with the draw they received in the 2022 knockout stage, especially considering they won their group. Certainly Croatia too. Yeah, yeah... they're old. Ok, but until that gets reflected in their actual results, I'm keeping them in any top 10 list I make. They can decline in comparison to the previous 2 WCs and still be top 10.
Croatia is like the monster in a slasher film. Just when I think they are dead they come up from behind you and get you. Their luck has to run out one day though and playing in USA/Canada/Mexico could be the final chapter.
Another team I suppose I must put barely on the outside looking in is Ecuador. They have talent. They seem to have a stable tactician. They are straying away from relying on altitude results. Getting key points on the road and at home at sea level. There’s just something missing from them. Hard to quantify but they just do not seem to have the “it” factor. Maybe they grit it and earn it this tournament. But I put them at the same level as Japan, Croatia, Belgium when it comes to winning this World Cup.
I dont see Croatia being anywhere near as successful. Yes they are old, and the weather conditions will not favor them. But who knows, maybe they will be like Jason and Freddy.
The weather conditions are the same for both teams. Not sure weather ever favors anybody (evidence?), but it seems even less of a factor for a WC played across an entire continent, meaning the weather will obviously vary depending on where exactly a game is played (which is a complete unknown atm).
Top 16 From here it's a toss up African team pick 1: Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal, South Africa Argentina (maybe they get grouped) Central American team... Panama or Costa Rica Colombia England (goes home early or goes far) France (maybe gets grouped) Germany (will they qualify) Ireland Italy Japan and/ or South Korea Mexico Morocco, Portugal, or Spain Northern Europe: Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Saudi Arabia Switzerland USA
The Croatians that grew up in the war that mentally made them battle hardened will all be 30+. World Cup usually is a young man's game overall... Like Messi, Di Maria and Otamendi with a bunch of young guys. I could eat my words tho... Could be Captain Modric again
France or Argentina "getting grouped" would be completely shocking. Especially since best third places advance. If either team finish in last place in an expanded World Cup FIFA should ban their managers from ever coaching again.
Think it would be amazing if these two would end in the second spot of their group, let alone become third.
This might be the first post I have seen from you that does not end in something like " fans want the World Cup to be moved from the USA".