What are the chances of smaller countries doing well in the World Cup?
553343
SMG is actually a good team.  They have a decent shot at advancing, but only decent due to their group.  In most other groups, they would have a good chance of qualifying.\n\nAs for the term "smaller," that is completely unfair.  Holland is a "small" country, but very good at football.  While Austrailia is a large country, but could get knocked out of the first round.
1166128
since it is a country, they probably have a team and if the team qualified, u would've seen them in the WC
642977
Good question. I saw them play U.S. recently. And although U.S. was missing many stars due to league obligations, Germany won convincingly. Strong team. Good defense. Good tacklers. Never count Germany out. Often, folks count them out and almost every year they go far. Sometimes to the finals. I would say that they have an outside shot. I'd put them in the top ten somewhere. Netherlands, Czech republic, and others would probably rank above them. But I would put my money on Brazil.
460888
With most people expecting results from the big teams\nEngland, Brazil, germany, Argentina etc. The best impression, if not results will likely come from a team like trinidad or Austrailia who have some good players but are not expected to do too well. \nI suspect they will play with no pressure and play entertaining expansive football. The brazialians will of course do this but we expect that of them an so the impression they leave will be lessened.
894021
Not all countries are playing well now(infact some have never played well at all). \nExcluding the minor countries, the only world cup winning team which is performing poorly is (sadly) England. They will find it very hard to do so in 2010. But then again not all hopes are lost as I beleive that Rooney will mature as a footballer and also control his temper and guide England to victory. There is also Aaron Lennon(precociously talented; AND MUCH BETTER THAN BECHAM) and maybe even Theo Walcott will come good and I sincerely hope my favorite Englaish footballer(at present), John Terry will be around. But if England has to make some inroads now, they gotta fire McLaren and hire O'Neill.\n\n\nI feel that most of the others contenders for  2010 are playing well. But i also am forced to believe that my other favorite team, Argentina might miss qualifying too.
461191
Well, they can take inspiration from Trinidad and Tobago which managed to make this year's World Cup as firm underdogs. However, I think it is very unlikely to happen. The USA and Mexico remain the dominant teams.
1144641
they are good ...\n\nbut Brazil much better :)\n\ngood luck Brazil and go on for 6th time world cup ...
440636
So many possibilities. The ones that are likely to win are Brazil, France, Germany or Italy. Other surprises could be England, Netherlands and Argentina. But if South Korea repeat history like the last one then... they could be the first Asian nation to bring the world Cup to Asia.
318894
They'll be lucky to get past the first round. Czech Republic has a strong team and Italy is out of the question. After watching the Germany game, I don't think they'll do well. The Us needs to stop playing friendlies against such weak opponents. All that does is raise false confidence.
1166891
if they're not gonna take the world cup ... second position guaranteed
1066417
Maybe the 16 rounds or semi finals but not world cup. \nI think they are not experienced enough to win the world cup. Maybe over 4 years.
579032
The most impressive part of the 2002 world cup was the success of the little teams and good sportsmen, like South Korea and their excellent fans.  And the quality of the play was good.
1004687
Many small countries cannot afford to take part in international sports.  And, if a country is small enough, it may not have all that many athletes at the world class level.
675228
France, altought it has not too many expectative, it could be very competitive in this world cup.\nIt has very good players, and cause zidane is retiring from futbol (soccer) in this cup, maybe the team will give something extra when they play. \nFrance has been a lot of times in the world cup, they also won a cup in France 98, against Brazil in the final\n\nArgentina, has a very good team, there are a lot of good players, has a very competitive team. But, the big problem is that they are in the death group, and is very hard to say what will happen. \nAs an extra tip, Maradona, their biggest star from all times said that the people should not have too much expectatives about their team.\nAlso, Argentina have been in a lot of world cups, always arriving with lot nof expectatives, and has 2 world cups in his power.\n\nEcuador, we have to see. They have a very competitive team. Almost all the starting team have been playing together for about 8 years, so it will be interesting. \nIt has to play against Germany (it will be hard, but at the match time, Germany will probably be classified to the next round), Poland (the harder game) and Costa Rica (almost the same level, so its hard to say who will win) \nEcuador has classified for first time to Korea Japan 2002 world cup. In the world cup, it beated Croatia, and lost against Mexico and Italy
446887
I think they are in a very difficult group, but definitely The USA has a chance of getting in the last 8 or 4 if they can overcome the first round, but hopefully for the they don't have to face Brazil early in the next round like they did in 1994. But who knows The USA can be the big surprise of this world cup.
444883
Ivory Coast or Portugal seem to be the possible suprise teams of the World Cup.
1128875
If they do, your countries achievement will not be unappreciated by the world. It takes a great country to produce players continually that can be of the calibre to pull that off. Good luck to you.\n\nHowever I would like to see the Ukraine or Portugal come through and achieve the unexpected as it would renew some hope for others and give a new perspective to the cup. Also to honour the job, commitment and hard work the under dog sides put in to achieve results and lift their standard of play.