The 10 Nations that Could Make Surprise Runs in the World Cup

Throughout the history of the World Cup, there have been many different sides that have had a major impact that weren't expected to do that well. From Senegal in 2002 to West Germany in 1954, there have been many nations that have surprised us all in world football's greatest tournament. Now that we are less than 90 days away from the start of the World Cup, here is a list of the ten nations that are most likely to pull of a surprise run in the World Cup.

#10 Serbia

FIFA Ranking (as of March 2010): 13th

Total number of appearances in World Cup: As Yugoslavia: Nine (1930, 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1974, 1982, 1990, 1998).

As Serbia and Montenegro: One (2006).

Best Showing in World Cup: As Yugoslavia: Fourth (1930 and 1962).

As Serbia and Montenegro: 32nd (2006).

Notable Players: Nemanja Vidić, Branislav Ivanović, Dejan Stanković, and Zdravko Kuzmanović.

After spliting once again into a different football organization, Serbia (formerly Yugoslavia and Serbia and Montenegro) are now in position to get back into top World Cup form. During their short history, Serbia were able to finish first overall in Group Seven, beating out the likes of France to get into the World Cup on an automatic bid. Now that they are in Group D with Germany, Australia, and Ghana, Serbia are in a difficult group that will be a challenge, but this will also be a great opportunity to show everyone that they are a nation that is capable of beating out the best nations as they could advance deep in the World Cup.

#9 South Korea

FIFA Ranking (as of March 2010): 53rd

Total number of appearances in World Cup: Seven (1954, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006).

Best Showing in World Cup: Fourth (2002).

Notable Players: Park Ji-Sung, Lee Chung-Yong, Ki Sung-Yong, and Lee Young-Pyo.

Once a nation that never advanced from the Group Stage, South Korea changed their entire image with an incredible run to the 2002 World Cup semifinals before finishing in fourth place. After easily qualifying in Asia for the World Cup, South Korea were put into Group B with Argentina, Nigeria, and Greece. The reason why I think South Korea could make a surprise run is that all three of these sides are not exactly the most consistent sides, and South Korea could exploit that and make a run in the World Cup, even though it probably won't be as long as their run in 2002.

#8 Nigeria

FIFA Ranking (As of March 2010): 21st

Total number of appearances in World Cup: Three (1994, 1998, 2002).

Best Showing in World Cup: 1994 Quarterfinals (Ninth Overall)

Notable Players: John Obi Mikel, Yakubu, Obafemi Martins, and Joseph Yobo.

After finishing first in Group B in African qualifying, Nigeria were put into Group B with Argentina, South Korea, and Greece. With their inconsistent group and the fact that the World Cup is in Africa this year, this talented Nigeria squad could easily advance out of the Group Stage and be a tough challenge for many nations to beat. They also just finished third in the most recent African Cup of Nations tournament, and with the large amount of talent on the squad, they could really upset several sides.

#7 Ghana

FIFA Ranking (as of March 2010): 28th

Total number of appearances in World Cup: One (2006)

Best Showing in World Cup: 2006 Round of 16 (13th Overall)

Notable Players: Michael Essien, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Sulley Muntari, and John Paintsil.

After a successful first World Cup back in 2006 after emerging from the Group of Death, Ghana have really started to build themselves up for success in this upcoming World Cup. However, they have once again landed in a Group of Death as they have Germany, Serbia, and Australia all in their group.

But regardless of that, Ghana are capable of advancing out of a Group of Death, and with their talented squad, they might be able to once again upset several sides as they will once again try to make a deep run in the World Cup.

#6 Chile

FIFA Ranking (as of March 2010): 14th

Total number of appearances in World Cup: Seven (1930, 1950, 1962, 1966, 1974, 1982, and 1998).

Best Showing in World Cup: Third (1962)

Notable Players: Matías Fernández, Alexis Sánchez, Humberto Suazo and Claudio Bravo.

After failing to qualify for the World Cup since 1998, Chile were able to rebound and finish second overall in COMMEBOL during World Cup qualifying. And after being put into Group H with Spain, Honduras, and Switzerland, it appeared that Chile could legitimately advance from the group. But now with the recent earthquake in Chile, El Equipo de Todos will truly become everybody's team as they will look to make a deep run out of Group H.

#5 United States

FIFA Ranking (as of March 2010): 18th

Total number of appearances in World Cup: Eight (1930, 1934, 1950, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006).

Best Showing in World Cup: Third (1930)

Notable Players: Landon Donovan, Tim Howard, Clint Dempsey, and Jozy Altidore.

After getting to the Confederations Cup final by beating Spain and giving Brazil all that they could handle, the United States returned to CONCACAF and finished first overall in the hexagonal. In Group C of the World Cup, the United States will have to face England, Algeria and Slovenia, which is a group that many expect the Americans to advance from. With a solid squad and with the fact that the United States could truly match up with any side in the world during every match, the United States are extremely capable of making a deep run in the World Cup.

#4 South Africa

FIFA Ranking (as of March 2010): 81st

Total number of appearances in World Cup: Two (1998 and 2002).

Best showing in World Cup: 2002 (Third in Group B) 17th overall.

Notable players: Benni McCarthy, Steven Pienaar, Aaron Mokoena, and Kagisho Dikgacoi.

The first ever African host nation for the World Cup, South Africa are going into this World Cup with a claim from some people that they will become the first ever host nation to fail to advance from the Group Stage. Even though they are in a tough group (Group A) with Mexico, Uruguay, and France, they are still a side that could play well against some bigger nations (Brazil and Spain in the Confederations Cup) and they would be able to knock out either France or Mexico should they advance from the Group Stage.

#3 Ivory Coast

FIFA Ranking (as of March 2010): 22nd

Total number of appearances in World Cup: One (2006)

Best Showing in World Cup: 19th (2006)

Notable Players: Didier Drogba, Kolo Touré, Yaya Touré, and Emmanuel Eboué.

After qualifying for their first World Cup back in 2006, the Ivory Coast have really emerged in many people's minds as the one African nation that could win the World Cup this summer. And despite the fact that they have landed in the "Group of Death" (Group G), many people believe that the Ivory Coast will advance over Portugal into the next round, where they could really make that deep run in the World Cup.

#2 Paraguay

FIFA Ranking (as of March 2010): 29th

Total number of appearances in World Cup: Seven (1930, 1950, 1958, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2006).

Best Showing in World Cup: 1986 Round of 16 (13th overall).

Notable Players: Paulo da Silva, Roque Santa Cruz, Nelson Haedo Valdez, and Oscar Cardozo.

After a disappointing 2006 World Cup in which they failed to advance from Group B, Paraguay retooled themselves in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. In qualifying, they finished third overall in COMMEBOL, and were able to beat both Brazil and Argentina in Paraguay in order to advance to the World Cup. Now that they are in Group F with Italy, New Zealand, and Slovakia, Paraguay are expected to advance from their group and with the great amount of talent on the squad along with success against stronger nations, they are a side that could upset several teams in the World Cup.

#1 Denmark

FIFA Ranking (as of March 2010): 33rd

Total number of appearances in World Cup: Three (1986 1998. 2002).

Best Showing in World Cup: 1998 Quarterfinals (eighth overall)

Notable Players: Thomas Sørensen, Jon Dahl Tomasson, Nicklas Bendtner, Simon Kjær and Daniel Agger.

After failing to qualify since 1998, Denmark will finally once again taste World Cup glory this summer after finishing first in Group One in European qualification over the likes of Portugal and Sweden. In the World Cup this summer, Denmark will be paired up with the Netherlands, Japan and, Cameroon in Group E. In their history, Denmark have never failed to advance from the World Cup Group Stage, and with their current squad, they are a side that could make a deep run after getting out of the Group Stage.