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Only eight teams have managed to win the FIFA World Cup so far, in which three teams - Brazil, Germany and Italy, make a combined tally of 13 out of 20. Only Uruguay and Argentina - with two titles each - have won the championship multiple times apart from them. England, France and Spain complete the winners' table with one title each.
The fact that only teams from Europe and Latin America have managed to win the championship shows the monopoly of superpowers in world football. As in the previous editions, one of the most hotly debated topics of this year is whether there would be a new team to lift the most prestigious trophy in the world of football.
Even though they could not go all the way, many teams have won the hearts of fans with their impressive performances in the previous editions. Not many can forget Croatia of 1998 or Turkey of 2002, the bronze medalists of those tournaments. This year too, there are a few dark horses who have the potential to take the tournament by storm.
Here are five teams who could turn out to be the dark horses at the FIFA World Cup - 2018:
#1 Croatia
This is a team that looks very strong, at least on paper. It would be a surprise if they fail to achieve a podium finish with the amount of talen they have in hand - especially the midfield they possess.
Their line up features some permanent starters of Europe's high profile football clubs. Many consider Real Madrid star Luka Modric to be the world's best midfielder at present, and when Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic and Inter Milan's Ivan Perisic join him, they make up for a formidable side.
They are drawn in Group D alongside Argentina, Iceland and Nigeria and are expected to go through to the knockout stages without much trouble from this group.
They will play either France or Australia/Peru in the round of 16, depending on their positions in the group stages. Two years ago, they displayed a beautiful passing football in the Euro-2016 to capture the hearts of football fans.
Even though they lost to the eventual winners, Portugal in the RO16 in a match stretched all the way to extra time, they showed the world that they are a rising power in the world of football.
Without a doubt, they have what it takes to spring a few surprises in this edition of the World Cup.
#2 Belgium
After a splendid run in 2014 where they reached the last eight, the Belgians will look to improve in 2018 and take advantage of a World Cup in Europe, where European squads have traditionally fared better.
Belgium, more so than most other teams in the tournament, will have an outstanding blend of youth and experience. Belgium's current squad has been composed of a healthy balance of veterans and young players in their 20s and Belgium will have a good number of players who are in their physical primes.
Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne will be the key to Belgium's hopes for a deeper run in the tournament. They are currently among the top-rated players in the English Premier League. When Radja Nainggolan joins them from Roma, they will be confident to score goals against any team.
Their back line also looks good, with Vincent Kompany, Toby Aldrerwiereld, Jan Vertonghen smong their ranks. Belgium will also rely on Thibaut Courtois to keep their clean sheets intact - the 6‘6 foot, 23-year-old is already considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
They are drawn in Group G with England, Panama and Tunisia, from which they are expected to progress. They could meet either Columbia or Poland in the round of 16, which they will consider as a very good opportunity to reach the quarter-final again.
Considering that Belgium are in possession of their 'golden generation', this will be their best chance to take the trophy home.
#3 Colombia
The 2014 quarter-finalists may be in a stronger position to make a deeper run in 2018. Following its first participation in a World Cup in 16 years, the Colombian side is more experienced and its success has led to many of its players going to better leagues.
James Rodriguez can finally hope to win the World Cup with his national team - he led the 2014 tournament in scoring, with an impressive six goals in five games. Sadly, despite his best efforts Colombia could not make the semifinals, narrowly falling to hosts Brazil 2-1.
Many players from Colombia's U20 side that went to the Round of 16 in the 2015 U20 World Cup, are being given a look in the national side. It was the same case for James, who entered the World Cup as an unknown, former U20 player himself.
Just he left as a superstar pursued by some of the best club teams in the world, and Colombia having so many talented youngsters among their ranks, a new star may reveal himself in 2018 and help James take Colombia all the way.
Columbia is drawn in Group H, alongside Poland, Japan and Senegal. It is the only group that does not contain a former champion in this world cup, adding to their chances of reaching the knockout stages. They could meet either England or Belgium in the round of 16.
Colombia will have to knock some big guns on their way to stardom if they want to establish themselves as a global superpower.
#4 Poland
Poland booked their return to the FIFA World Cup after a 12-year absence, topping European Group E in their final game, to head to their seventh edition of the tournament. The two times bronze medalists (1974,1982) will be looking to bring back their good days in world football.
It is certainly not a long shot for them, with the talents they have in their squad. With 16 goals in ten appearances, the Polish Captain - Robert Lewandowski was the top scorer in Europe's 2018 world cup qualifiers.
Poland, who are ranked 7 in the world, will consider themselves to be favorites to go through from Group H, where they will be accompanied by Columbia, Japan and Senegal. Their possible round of 16 opponents are England and Belgium. Determined to reflect the ranking in their performance, Poland will give a tough time for their opponents.
Poland will depend heavily on Lewandowski to be their savior, but going by his track record it is not something he shies away from.
#5 Peru
Peru ended their 36-year FIFA World Cup finals drought by finishing fifth in South American qualifying, and subsequently defeated New Zealand 2-0 on aggregate in the intercontinental play-off.
They lost their first two World Cup qualifiers to Colombia and Chile two years ago, and after six games they'd won just one match and lost four. The turnaround came almost by accident when a 2-0 defeat away to Bolivia in round seven was overturned after the home side fielded an ineligible player - Peru was thus awarded a 3-0 victory.
In their last 10 qualifier games, Peru won five, drew three and lost two to put themselves fifth in the group and book a place in the play-off. Those results have seen them climb up the FIFA World Ranking to a record high of 11th.
The two-time quarter-finalists (1970 and 1978) will be looking to improve their statistics in the tournament. They are in Group C alongside France, Australia and Denmark. They will potentially meet the mighty Argentina in the RO16. Peru havedrawn both their home and away legs against Argentina in the qualifiers, which tells us what they are capable of.
Peru might not be the most popular team in the World Cup, but they will certainly be the most hard-working. Anyone who writes them off will have to do so at their own peril.
