After seeing the USA beat Germany 2-1 today, I thought I'd create a thread on who I think has the potential of winning the world cup in the future as FIRST TIME winners. Some teams I list may not be great at their current state but sure have potential to be great in the future. Isn't it great to have teams to win World Cups for the first time?
Netherlands - This is the most obvious one out of the bunch. Netherlands aka football's biggest underachievers. Made it to three 3 WC Finals and last WC, went to semis and narrowly lost out on another final because of penalties failure. They definitely have proven they are the nation capable of winning the World Cup. So far, the only honourable trophy they've won is the Euro's back in 1988, when they defeated the USSR.
Belgium - Yet another team with huge talent produced and still talents coming through. They've been good in the past. They had a pretty neat side back in 1986-1990. They've just recently reached 2nd spot in FIFA rankings, which clearly indicates they are a capable side of achieving a World Cup win. This Euro 2016, will surely have them as favourites and also will be a test for this "golden generation"
USA - Definitely a side you would consider in the future. They've been amazing, beat Netherlands and Germany at their own backyard and been dominant in the CONCACAF for many years. Performed great at the World Cup, before being knocked in extra time. This team obviously at their current state, have not been "world beaters" but however they possess the tag "sleeping giants". Great sporting nation and seem to dominate any sport they take seriously. With soccer getting more popular, they will obviously get better. It works proportionally. MLS has expanded and now is growing very fast. USA will surely be favourites for the 2026 World cup, I'd have to assume they get the hosting rights for 2026. It's hard to say if MLS will overtake the NHL or the MLB anytime soon but it's definitely possible. The interest in soccer is exponentially growing whilst Hockey and Baseball are becoming dying entities. I don't see MLS ever overtaking NBA or NFL though.
Russia - Another side you should never underestimate their abilities. Very similar to the USA right now, in terms of footballing ability. Huge European country with amazing sporting pedigree. They are not "world beaters" but they possess the tag "sleeping giants". They've been very neat in the qualifiers of 2014, they finished ahead of Portugal and played very nice football along the way. Russian League is getting better every year. Now, they are 6th best league only behind England Spain Italy Germany France. One of the obvious limitations is the weather. Most of Russia is pretty much snow, hence people rather play Hockey, Indoor football, Basketball, Handball, etc in Russia. They are very dominant in Beach football and Indoor football. With Russia 2018 around the corner, they will be one of the favourites of the tournament. A team which has a very good record at home, in terms of qualifiers.
Chile - This nation has surprised the odds at the past World Cup. They managed to get out of the group with football giants such as Netherlands and Spain. They've produced many great players such as Vidal, Sanchez, Isla, Vargas, etc. They narrowly went out in the past World Cup, to a penalty shootout. Chile will have everything to prove at this upcoming Copa America.
Croatia - With this one, I'd like to have asterisks. I still do not believe Croatia can win the World Cup nor can they do in the future. They're too small of a nation IMO. However, I think they can win the European Championships, even next year. Croat sides like Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split have now become a hotbed of great talent for most Western European sides, mainly in Germany. They've got superstars such as Mandzukic, Modric, Rakitic, Kovacic, Persisic, etc that work together to win games. They can definitely remind people of their 1998 Campaign at Euro 2016 and possibly win it. They're running as my dark horses.
Some people may bring up countries such as India or China, but I'm sorry to say but those nations have done ZERO in football to warrant their spot on this list. Anyways, this is my list. What do you guys think? What other team can be on this list. Also, is there anything you disagree with on here?
Netherlands - This is the most obvious one out of the bunch. Netherlands aka football's biggest underachievers. Made it to three 3 WC Finals and last WC, went to semis and narrowly lost out on another final because of penalties failure. They definitely have proven they are the nation capable of winning the World Cup. So far, the only honourable trophy they've won is the Euro's back in 1988, when they defeated the USSR.
Belgium - Yet another team with huge talent produced and still talents coming through. They've been good in the past. They had a pretty neat side back in 1986-1990. They've just recently reached 2nd spot in FIFA rankings, which clearly indicates they are a capable side of achieving a World Cup win. This Euro 2016, will surely have them as favourites and also will be a test for this "golden generation"
USA - Definitely a side you would consider in the future. They've been amazing, beat Netherlands and Germany at their own backyard and been dominant in the CONCACAF for many years. Performed great at the World Cup, before being knocked in extra time. This team obviously at their current state, have not been "world beaters" but however they possess the tag "sleeping giants". Great sporting nation and seem to dominate any sport they take seriously. With soccer getting more popular, they will obviously get better. It works proportionally. MLS has expanded and now is growing very fast. USA will surely be favourites for the 2026 World cup, I'd have to assume they get the hosting rights for 2026. It's hard to say if MLS will overtake the NHL or the MLB anytime soon but it's definitely possible. The interest in soccer is exponentially growing whilst Hockey and Baseball are becoming dying entities. I don't see MLS ever overtaking NBA or NFL though.
Russia - Another side you should never underestimate their abilities. Very similar to the USA right now, in terms of footballing ability. Huge European country with amazing sporting pedigree. They are not "world beaters" but they possess the tag "sleeping giants". They've been very neat in the qualifiers of 2014, they finished ahead of Portugal and played very nice football along the way. Russian League is getting better every year. Now, they are 6th best league only behind England Spain Italy Germany France. One of the obvious limitations is the weather. Most of Russia is pretty much snow, hence people rather play Hockey, Indoor football, Basketball, Handball, etc in Russia. They are very dominant in Beach football and Indoor football. With Russia 2018 around the corner, they will be one of the favourites of the tournament. A team which has a very good record at home, in terms of qualifiers.
Chile - This nation has surprised the odds at the past World Cup. They managed to get out of the group with football giants such as Netherlands and Spain. They've produced many great players such as Vidal, Sanchez, Isla, Vargas, etc. They narrowly went out in the past World Cup, to a penalty shootout. Chile will have everything to prove at this upcoming Copa America.
Croatia - With this one, I'd like to have asterisks. I still do not believe Croatia can win the World Cup nor can they do in the future. They're too small of a nation IMO. However, I think they can win the European Championships, even next year. Croat sides like Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split have now become a hotbed of great talent for most Western European sides, mainly in Germany. They've got superstars such as Mandzukic, Modric, Rakitic, Kovacic, Persisic, etc that work together to win games. They can definitely remind people of their 1998 Campaign at Euro 2016 and possibly win it. They're running as my dark horses.
Some people may bring up countries such as India or China, but I'm sorry to say but those nations have done ZERO in football to warrant their spot on this list. Anyways, this is my list. What do you guys think? What other team can be on this list. Also, is there anything you disagree with on here?
