Top 5 non-European teams to look for in the World Cup

#2 Argentina

Jorge Sampaoli

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.

Lionel Messi

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.