The 2010 FIFA World Cup was a world cup filled with drama, emotions, excitement

and most importantly GOALS! But there is reason to believe that the upcoming
world cup will be no different from the previous one and in fact it is highly likely to
be better than the previous one. Several teams exceeded expectations in the
previous world cup and such teams exist in this world cup as well. So lets have a
close look at 2 teams from whom people dont expect much but there is a great
chance they might surprise all the naysayers.

Belgium

For obvious reasons Belgium was a clear choice to be included in this list. Belgium
has been a team that has steadily been on the rise for the past few years. Before
the 2006 world cup Belgium had a fairly successful world cup record as they were
successful in qualifying for every world cup in the time span of 1982 to 2002, but
they could not qualify for the 2006 and 2010 world cup. Since then Belgium has
been rising strongly and have a fairly strong squad for this years world cup
campaign. Lets have a look at some of the most expected players who might be
able to take Belgium to the highest position they can achieve in this years world
cup:
Goalkeeping
Belgium has two very good goalkeepers in this world cups squad: Thibaut Courtois
and Simon Mignolet. Both Courtois and Mignolet had been the first choice keepers
for Athletico Madrid and Liverpool respectively in the 2013-14 season and both were
rock solid in front of the goalpost. Courtois is a Chelsea loanee and is looking to get
a permanent stay at Athletico Madrid and as for Mignolet he was a new recruit for
Liverpool after being bought from Sunderland and he replaced Pepe Reina who
moved to Napoli. Both players are rising in their careers and a lot is expected from
them in this years world cup.
Defence
The name which shines ahead of all the other names in the Belgium defence is the
name of their captain, Vincent Kompany. Kompany who took the captainship from
Thomas Vermaelen has been in charge of the Belgium squad for quite some time
now. He led his club team, Manchester City to their second title in the last season.
Apart from Kompany, the Belgium defence boasts of players like Toby Alderweireld
(Atletico Madrid), Daniel Van Buyten (Bayern Munich), Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal),
Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur). Overall the defence seems quite strong.
Midfield
Belgium has several great midfielders who are plying their trade in some of
Europes most prestigious clubs. Nacer Chadli (Tottenham Hotspur), Mousa Dembele
(Tottenham Hotspur), Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United), Axel Witsel (Zenit St

Petersburg) are a few of the fantastic players who form a part of the Belgium
midfield and a lot is expected from them.

Attack
Belgium has got one of the youngest attack force amongst all the teams who have
qualified for the world cup this year. Players like Romelu Lukaku and Adnan Januzaj
are extremely young and talented but the player from whom the world expects the
most is undoubtedly Eden Hazard.

Cte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

The African nation is arguably the strongest African nation in this years world cup
and has a really great chance of qualifying through the group stages. Even though
their fellow group teams will be quite a challenge for them but it can be expected
that unlike last two times they will be able to qualify for the Round of 16 this time.
Ivory Coast is a part of Group C and has to compete against Greece, Japan and
Columbia to qualify for the next round. Lets have a look at some of Ivory Coasts
most influential players:
Goalkeeping
Even though none of Ivory Coasts goalkeepers is playing in a popular club of
Europe, their goalkeeping strength isnt bad. Copa Barry is expected to be the first
choice keeper.
Defence
Kolo Toure (Liverpool) and Serge Aurier (Toulouse) are amongst the popular names
in the Ivory Coast defence and the defence line for Ivory Coast is probably their
biggest Achilles heel in this years world cup.
Midfield
Ivory Coast might have a week defence line but they sure do have a strong midfield.
Players like Didier Zokora (Trabzonspor) , Cheick Tiote (New Castle) and Yaya Toure (
Manchester City) form quite a strong part of their midfield. Yaya Toure who was
arguably the player of the season for Manchester City in their 2013-14 campaign
and led them to their second title is probably the most important player for Ivory
Coast this year, he is in blistering form at the moment and if Ivory Coast has to do
well then he surely has to perform.
Attack

The strongest part of this years Ivory Coast squad is noticeably their strike force.
Didier Drogba (Galatasaray), Gervinho (Roma), Salomon Kalou (Lille), Wilfried Bony
(Swansea), Seydou Doumbia (CSKA Moscow) are all established players who are
plying their trade in some of the most reputable clubs of Europe. Didier Drogba who
is the most experienced of them all will be expected to lead the amazing strike force
which Ivory Coast possesses for this years world cup.