5 teams that can be 'dark horses' in the FIFA World Cup - 2018

#3 Colombia

Rodriguez and company will look to repeat their impressive run.

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.