Who should we cheer on in the 2018 FIFA World Cup?

Welsh football will have to wait its turn for another place at a major final as Chris Coleman’s men failed to make it in back-to-back tournament qualifications for this year’s FIFA World Cup. After the unprecedented success of Euro 2016, it was almost expected that the team would qualify again for Russia 2018. Nevertheless, the boys were edged out and so too was Coleman, who opted to call time on his career as national boss to move back into club management with struggling Championship side Sunderland.

The World Cup odds don’t favour England — who, once again, qualified with ease — with our neighbours priced at 14/1, suggesting a probable exit at the last 16 stage. Few in Wales will want to cheer on England given that they are the U.K.’s sole representatives at this year’s tournament. The people of Wales have always preferred to back an underdog, so here are a few unfancied nations that we should get behind instead this summer.

Panama – One of England’s group contenders, Panama have qualified for a World Cup for the first time in the nation’s history. A 2-1 success against Costa Rica secured a berth in Russia, just four years after failing to bag a playoff place for the 2014 World Cup when they lost in second-half injury-time to the United States. Panama will be dangerous first opponents for England. They’ll have nothing to lose, and in the shape of Gabriel Torres and Blas Perez, they have two front men capable of keeping the English defense on their toes.

Iceland – Many Welsh fans will undoubtedly be backing Iceland this summer. Iceland are in the same boat as Panama as they prepare to play in their first World Cup finals after back-to-back qualifications for major finals. Famed for knocking out Roy Hodgson’s England at Euro 2016, Iceland remains prevalent in Wales for this feat. As the smallest nation ever to compete at the World Cup, the people of Wales should almost certainly back the Icelandics.

Egypt – It’s been almost three decades since the Egyptians qualified for a World Cup final, so there’s no doubt that they will be keen to make the most of it this summer. Africa’s third most successful footballing nation has a reasonable chance of progressing out of the group stage, too. Egypt has been paired with hosts Russia, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group A, with no leading contender standing out in the group. Egypt have a genuine match-winner in the shape of Mo Salah, so any Liverpool fans will almost certainly want him to do well.

Peru – It’s been even longer since the Peruvians last graced a World Cup final. Peru limped out of the 1982 World Cup with a whimper, and haven’t been seen since, although they prevailed in a qualification playoff against New Zealand to secure a place in Russia. It’s been a promising time for Peruvian football under current coach Ricardo Gareca, having finished third in the 2015 Copa America.

One thing’s for sure, it’s going to be a fascinating tournament. However, it’s missing some of the leading names in world football, such as Italy and the Netherlands, who disappointed in their qualification programmes. But their absence sets the stage nicely for one of the unfancied nations mentioned above to come through and make a statement.