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The FIFA World Cup constantly provides some surprises and teams that aren't expected to succeed, and end up taking down some of the World's best squads, like Costa Rica in 2014. It is time to check out the 5 non-European teams that can challenge anyone, because of their collective work or their players' individual talent.
This list includes two unlikely challengers for the World Cup and three teams close to achieving the biggest trophy once again. The challengers will be named as the "why not?" group, whilst the other three are part of the serious contenders for the championship.
#5 Egypt
With an excellent coach, Argentinian Héctor Cúper, and Mohamed Salah's attacking abilities, it is hard not to put Egypt into the "why not?" group of teams with a shot to be great in Russia.
Salah comes off of the greatest season in his career at Liverpool under offensive genius Jurgen Klopp. Even though the "Reds" could not grab any trophy in the 2017/18 campaign, Salah was brilliant and earned an almost sure spot in the Ballon d'Or top 5, with serious consideration to take the prize home.
Salah suffered a tough blow to his season with a shoulder injury in the UEFA Champions League final versus Real Madrid, but he still is Egypt's main card.
With 44 goals and 16 assists in 52 games for Liverpool and five goals in six games for Egypt in the World Cup qualifiers, Salah is a weapon any team would like to have for the biggest tournament in football.
Egypt is a member of Group A alongside the hosts Russia, two-time winner Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
#4 Colombia
Colombia stood out in Brazil four years ago by James Rodríguez's six magical goals. The South American squadron reached the quarterfinals for the first time in its history and still under José Pekerman and with a healthy Radamel Falcao, they want to continue the process and are another member of "why not?" group.
The keys to Colombia are on their offensive side; if James and Falcao are able to impose their will on opposing defenses, Colombia's rivals will run into trouble, but that's a big if.
James comes from his first season with Bayern Munich. Predictably, James and the Bavarian side won the Bundesliga with a comfortable advantage over their rivals, but could not advance to the most important stage of the UEFA Champions League in Kiev, after they ran into the current dynasty of Real Madrid once again.
Rodríguez's stats were pretty good. He started the year with his favorite coach, Carlo Ancelotti, but after the Italian was fired, James remained an important player in Munich under the command of Jupp Heynckes because of his talent and beautiful display in the center of the field.
James only scored 8 goals, his lowest count since the 2010/11 season, but he gave 14 assists, tying his second-best number of assists in one season.
Falcao, on the other hand, scored 24 goals in 36 games for AS Monaco, a team that he led, along with Kylian Mbappé, to the title of Ligue 1 in the 2016/17 season and the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.
The season 2017/18 was not the best collectively, with Monaco finishing 13 points behind PSG in the national tournament, while also fell in the stage of groups of the UCL.
Colombia will serve as part of group H with Poland, Senegal, and Japan.
#3 Uruguay
If you talk about non-European contenders, it is difficult not to include a two-time World Cup winner in Uruguay, with Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani in attack. Uruguay arrives in Russia for their third consecutive World Cup trip, after their fourth place in South Africa 2010 and their collapse in Brazil four years ago with Suárez's suspension after his encounter with Italy's defender Giorgio Chiellini.
With "El Maestro" Óscar Washington Tabárez still leading the team from the sidelines, and an extremely cohesive defense with Atlético de Madrid teammates Diego Godín and José María Giménez, a relatively comfortable group A (Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt) and their attacking pieces, Uruguay is in line to succeed.
They have not won the World Cup since the "Maracanazo" in 1950, but there can be said that 2018 might bring their greatness back.
Suárez performed great again for Barcelona in La Liga, despite his UCL woes. The Uruguayan number 9 scored 31 goals and provided 17 assists. His World Cup stats are great, with five goals in just eight games.
Cavani was PSG main card on offense after Neymar's injury. "Edi" put up 40 goals and 12 assists for the French champions in 49 matches.
Suárez (5) and Cavani (10) accounted for 15 of Uruguay's 32 goals in the CONMEBOL qualifiers.
#2 Argentina
Is there any doubt that Argentina is a strong candidate?
Everyone knows Jorge Sampaoli's team haven't been great in the last couple of years and their character during big games is in question, but Argentina's history and the presence of Lionel Messi, alongside other world-class players like Sergio Agüero, Gonzalo Higuaín or Paulo Dybala, make the Argentinian national team one to look for, like in every World Cup they've played.
Argentina suffered in the CONMEBOL qualifiers, reaching their spot in Russia in the last match against Ecuador, but there's something different about the World Cup, qualifiers' performance doesn't always dictate some team's faith in the tournament.
Messi was, once again, majestic for Barcelona in La Liga. The Argentinian was the leading scorer in the Spanish League with 34 goals, also, he provided 12 assists, taking advantage of Luis Suárez's help on offense. Help that he'll need in Russia from his fellow Argentinian attackers.
The only blemish in Messi's 2017/18 season was Barcelona's meltdown in the UCL quarterfinals against Roma. Messi did not score a single goal in the two-legged game and Barcelona lost in the round of eight for the third straight year.
Messi's overall numbers for the 2017/18 season were great. In 54 matches, he scored 45 goals and provided 18 assists. For Argentina, he is the all-time leading goalscorer with 64 goals in 124 games.
Argentina is a member of Group D with Croatia, Nigeria, and Iceland.
#1 Brazil
Brazil is not only the biggest non-European candidate, is the biggest candidate - period.
The Tite-led squad is in phenomenal form since the new boss walked in as Dunga's replacement. In 20 games with Brazil, Tite hasn't lost an official game. Brazil has won 16 of their 20 games under Tite, with three draws and one loss (vs Argentina in a Friendly Match, without Brazil's main names).
Neymar is Brazilian's hope, and it is well deserved for the magical number 10.
The PSG star will be the star for the Brazilians in the 2018 World Cup, even though he sustained a foot injury and did not play an official game since February, his great return in a friendly against Croatia made Brazilian's hopes increase.
Neymar is fourth all-time in the Brazilian goalscorers table with 54 goals, behind Pelé (77), Ronaldo (67), and Romario (55).
Alongside Neymar, Brazil has players like Real Madrid legend Marcelo, the hardworking Casemiro, Paulinho, Philippe Coutinho, Willian, Douglas Costa or Gabriel Jesús. The Brazilian national team is definitely a squad to look after in the World Cup, and probably many teams consider the Scratch du Oro as the team to beat in Russia.
