With Australia out, who should you support in the World Cup?

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This was published 5 years ago

With Australia out, who should you support in the World Cup?

By Phil Lutton

RUSSIA (runners-up in Group A)

Why they are your new team: Their nation has staged the most-expensive World Cup in history - splashing nearly $19b if you don't mind - so the least you can do is back the home side now the Socceroos are golfing or in Bali. Or golfing in Bali. Plus, there's a good chance someone in the Kremlin already has your credit card details, so get on board comrade.

Surprise packet: Denis Cheryshev celebrates scoring for Russia.

Surprise packet: Denis Cheryshev celebrates scoring for Russia.Credit: AP

Why you need to rethink your allegiances: Russia hasn't exactly established itself as the cuddly feel-good story of world sport of late, what with all of the state-sponsored doping programs and elaborate cheating at the recent Winter Olympics. Actually, it's probably the worst-case scenario. Pass.

Star player: Denis Cheryshev

Odds to win the World Cup: $51

SPAIN (winners of Group B)

Why they are your new team: The 2010 champions just ooze class and quality and sophistication and their players most likely drink excellent wines and enjoy deliciously high-end jamon serrano. They sacked coach Julen Lopetegui just two days before the tournament started, replacing him with Fernando Hierro. It's so crazy it just may work.

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Why you need to rethink your allegiances: La Roja won not long ago, are the second favourites and with the Germans now out, could get a rails run through the knockout stages. In short, they're the easy option, like moving to the UK and supporting whoever happens to be winning the Premier League. Try again.

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Star player: Isco

Odds to win the World Cup: $5

DENMARK (runners-up in Group C)

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Why they are your new team: The Danes drew 1-1 with the Socceroos and to be honest, they didn't seem like bad blokes at all. Vikings seem to be hugely popular on television these days and Denmark are the kind of rock-solid underdogs we should be able to get right behind. Have their work cut out for them against Croatia.

Why you need to rethink your allegiances: A 0-0 draw with France, at the same time as Australia was conjuring a 2-0 loss to Peru, was about the dullest game of the entire tournament. The country that gave the world Lego is indeed excellent at building walls.

Star player: Christian Eriksen

Odds to win the World Cup: $81

CROATIA (winners of Group D)

Why they are your new team: After seeing off the pesky Icelanders that unashamedly stole Canberra's Viking Chant, Croatia head into the knockout stages as a dark horse that could take some stopping. They play an exciting brand of football through the midfield and are anchored by captain Luka Modric. Flogged Argentina, if that's your thing.

Dark horse: Croatia have impressed so far.

Dark horse: Croatia have impressed so far.Credit: AP

Why you need to rethink your allegiances: Hmmm... their chequered kit is a bit busy for some people's taste?

Star player: Luka Modric

Odds to win the World Cup: $13

BRAZIL (winners in Group E)

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Why they are your new team: What's not to love about Brazil, the nation that brought the world Jogo Bonito and Neymar and Ronaldo and Pele and Socrates (the football one). The Samba Kings were embarrased by Germany in the semi-final of the last World Cup and redemption would be ever so sweet. Their fans are fun. Be fun too.

Why you need to rethink your allegiances: This is another one that is just too easy. Brazil has five World Cups to its name and another one would simply be a case of being greedy, like having one serve too many at their scrumptious all-you-can-eat meat buffets. Plus, Neymar has done more diving than Greg Louganis of late.

Star player: Neymar

Odds to win the World Cup: $4.50

SWITZERLAND (runners-up in Group E)

Why they are your new team: The ultimate safe choice, ideal for those that really are stuck in neutral since the Socceroos departed. The Swiss made it out of the group stages in 2014 and have done so again, meeting Sweden in the first of the knockouts. Limped in with a 2-2 draw with Costa Rica and will need to go through a few gears.

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Why you need to rethink your allegiances: They have wonderful alpine slopes and crystal lakes some of the best skiing in the world and very accurate clocks and Roger Federer but... Switzerland? Come on guys. Live a little. Really.

Star player: Xherdan Shaqiri

Odds to win the World Cup: $41

SWEDEN (winners in Group F)

Why they are your new team: When they lost 2-1 to Germany in the group stages, some German officials went over to the Swedish bench and clapped sarcastically (can you do that?) in their faces. Alas, Sweden powered out of the group, while Germany were ejected. “It is sad for Germany,” said the Marcus Berg, “but this is the thing: karma can be a bad thing sometimes.” And that's why you should support Sweden.

Why you need to rethink your allegiances: A Norwegian fan, when asked who he would cheer against, had this to say to The Guardian before the tournament began: "Sweden. I want them to fail. I don’t care about Denmark and I hope Sweden score 10 own goals. If Norway can’t make it, then I don’t want Sweden to enjoy it." May be real, may be sort of real. Who cares - if you like that vibe, stay clear.

Star player: Emil Forsberg

Odds to win the World Cup: $67

MEXICO (runners-up in Group F)

Why they are your new team: Mexico has been one of the feel-good stories of the World Cup thus far. Their fans have been sensational, both in Russia and at home. When South Korea beat Germany 2-0, a result that sent the champs packing and allowed Mexico to progress, the Korean embassy in Mexico City was mobbed with grateful fans. Top areas.

Why you need to rethink your allegiances: Another one difficult to find a reason to avoid. Perhaps you have a sensitive stomach. Perhaps you are a Trump supporter. You might have to google something.

Star player: Hector Herrera

Odds to win the World Cup: $67

BELGIUM (winners in Group G)

Why they are your new team: The Belgians make top-shelf beer, even if it can be a tad fruity for certain palates. They've become a very handy football team as well and were installed as third favourites behind Brazil and Spain to get back on the plane with the silverware. They also beat England, which popped that particular bubble for the moment.

Why you need to rethink your allegiances: Is Belgium just France but smaller and bit more boring? You be the judge.

Star player: Eden 'Dukes of' Hazard

Odds to win the World Cup: $8

ENGLAND (runners-up in Group G)

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Why they are your new team: Go on. Get on board while you still can. England haven't won the thing since 1966 and every four years the Old Dart swells with hope, followed by a national wallowing in unavoidable pity. It's exactly like NSW losing the Origin forever... but how good was it to win one! You don't want to deprive yourself of this emotional roller-coaster of self-discovery.

Why you need to rethink your allegiances: There is always a certain romance as England dive into another World Cup but one unescapeable fact remains - it's still England.

Star player: Harry Kane

Odds to win the World Cup: $8

COLOMBIA (winners in Group H)

Why they are your new team: A loss to Japan and wins over Senegal and Poland was enough to see the Colombians safely through the group stages. Minnows, really, in South America compared to football giants like Brazil and Argentina, the Colombians view their side as a symbol of positivity to the world for a country that has had its fair share of civil turmoil. Plus, THEY PLAY ENGLAND.

Why you need to rethink your allegiances: You probably don't, unless you are English, in which case it's unlikely you'd be feeling a great deal of love for these guys anyway.

Star player: James Rodriguez

Odds to win the World Cup $21

JAPAN (runners-up in Group H)

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Why they are your new team: The despised outsiders of the knockout stages, Japan should appeal to Australian fans that love an underdog. They tick an array of boxes, not the least of which is their excellent nickname 'Samurai Blue'. They are the only Asian side left in the tournament, so could be representing 'our' region against the big guns of world football.

Why you need to rethink your allegiances: This wasn't their finest moment. The Samurai Blue were widely booed as they dinked it around in what was little more than a training drill in their 1-0 loss to Poland. After Colombia beat Senegal, Japan knew they needed nothing more than to not get a few bookings from the referee to progress under the 'Fair Play' rule. It all ended with zero intent to score and a farcical finish. Boo.

Star player: Yuya Osako

Odds to win the World Cup: $151

FRANCE (winners of Group C)

Why they are your new team: Beat the Socceroos with a lucky goal so hard to cop, although the cheese is pretty great. Have a lot of good players and one of the better national anthems in world football. If they win, Australia can say they scored against the World Champions.

Why you need to rethink your allegiances: I know we lost against Peru, but Les Bleus could have at least done us a favour and TRIED to score a goal against Denmark so that a win could have seen the Socceroos advance to the last 16.

Star player: N'Golo Kante

Odds to win the World Cup: $9

ARGENTINA (runners-up in Group D)

Why they are your new team: Fan of the tournament in Maradona and home to some of the best steaks on the planet, although Messi lives on another one - a fractured side that could implode at any moment, you want them around for the comedy value as much as anything else.

Why you need to rethink your allegiances: If you're a tribalistic fanboy of Cristiano Ronaldo, you don't want to give the Messi camp any more ammunition for claiming that their man is the greatest player on earth.

Star player: Lionel Messi

Odds to win the World Cup: $17

PORTUGAL (runners-up in Group B)

Why they are your new team: Cristiano Ronaldo is impeccably groomed and the kids just love him - one of the nicer jerseys in the tournament. Portugal also has great seafood.

Why you need to rethink your allegiances: If you're a tribalistic fanboy of Lionel Messi, you don't want to give the Ronaldo camp any more ammunition for claiming that their man is the greatest player on earth.

Star player: Cristiano Ronaldo

Odds to win the World Cup: $26

URUGUAY (winners of Group A)

Why they are your new team: How can you dislike the nation that we beat to make the 2006 World Cup? Well, quite easily...but nevertheless, they've flown under the radar and are yet to concede a goal in the tournament - despite winning the Cup twice before, it'd be a great underdog story if they were to go all the way.

Why you need to rethink your allegiances: At any given moment, Luis Suarez could bite someone. Also, they haven't conceded a goal in the tournament, meaning their matches are a bit boring. Who wants to watch a team grind out 1-0 wins on their way to victory, ala Spain in 2010?

Star player: Luis Suarez

Odds to win the World Cup: $23

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