Algeria

Algeria are a team that has repeatedly flirted with World Cup relevance without ever breaking through to the knockout rounds. Their 2014 campaign was heartbreak personified -- an extra-time loss to Germany in the Round of 16 after a heroic group-stage performance that included a thrilling 4-2 win over South Korea. That generation, led by Islam Slimani and Sofiane Feghouli, set a standard that subsequent squads have struggled to match. The current Algerian side is in a transitional phase. Riyad Mahrez remains the marquee name, though his move to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia has inevitably sparked debates about his competitive sharpness at the highest level. The emergence of younger talents like Rayan Aït-Nouri at Manchester City and Houssem Aouar offers hope, but Algeria's qualifying campaign was uneven and they enter the tournament as clear underdogs in a group featuring defending champions Argentina and a well-drilled Austria side. For bracket pickers, Algeria are a classic "group-stage exit" candidate with limited upset potential. Their best hope lies in exploiting Austria in the second group match and then needing a result against Jordan in the finale. Mahrez can produce moments of individual brilliance, but the overall squad depth and defensive resilience are questionable against top-tier opposition. Treat them as a likely Round of 32 elimination if they somehow advance.