World Cup 2022: Who will be the dark horses at this year's tournament?

Five-time winners Brazil are the bookmakers' favourites to add a record-extending sixth title to their trophy cabinet, while Argentina are among the other front-runners.

European heavyweights France, Germany, England, Spain and Portugal may also fancy their chances to lifting the trophy on December 18.

However, almost every World Cup throws up a surprise story and an underdog punching above their weight to threaten to upset the established world order in international football.

Here, the Sports Mole team discuss who they think that may be at the 2022 edition in Qatar.

Barney Corkhill, Editor - Uruguay

Their South American rivals Brazil and Argentina might be getting the vast majority of the praise before the tournament kicks off, but Uruguay could well make a splash on the world stage too.

Two-time winners of the competition, although not since 1950, this current crop of Uruguay players look to have everything required to go deep in the tournament this time around.

Federico Valverde is the jewel in their crown and comes into the World Cup in fine form this season, while Darwin Nunez started to hit his stride for Liverpool at the perfect time as far as his country are concerned.

There is a lovely blend of youth and experience too, with Nunez joined in attack by Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, who have 126 international goals between them.

They are two of five centurions in the Uruguay squad, including 159-time international Diego Godin, although their lack of true world-class quality at the back could ultimately prevent them from going all the way.

Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter - Denmark

Competing at just their sixth World Cup, Denmark's rise to prominence has not gone unnoticed on the European stage and Kasper Hjulmand will have faith in his talented squad excelling on the global stage in Qatar.

Against all odds, the Danes triumphed at Euro 1992 and they surprised many to reach the semi-finals at Euro 2020. Since then, they breezed through World Cup qualifying and then beat world champions France twice in their UEFA Nations League group earlier this year.

Indeed, Denmark will renew acquaintances with France in Group D at the World Cup and should they pip Les Bleus to top spot, a winnable last-16 clash with either Mexico or Poland could be on the cards.

Ranked 10th in the world above the likes of Germany and 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia, Hjulmand's cohesive, confident bunch could be dark horses to progress deep into this year's tournament in Qatar.

Joel Lefevre, Reporter - Netherlands

I would not be surprised to see the Netherlands make a deep run at the tournament and, who knows, maybe finally break their World Cup curse.

Louis van Gaal's men may not have as many quality attacking players as he did when he coached them in 2014, however there are some solid players in every position.

Memphis Depay had a good qualifying campaign, Frenkie de Jong is one of the most versatile box-to-box midfielders in football and while Virgil van Dijk and Liverpool have not had a great campaign, he is a world-class centre-back with good pace and technique who is also decent at set pieces.

The Dutch are very much under the radar which is never a bad thing when you can surprise other teams. They also could have a favourable bracket should they make it out of their group, where they would avoid playing any of the main favourites until the last eight.

The Netherlands seem to have good continuity on the field, with some strong individuals who can change the complexion of a game.

Dominic Lund, Reporter - Uruguay

I back Uruguay to be dark horses at the World Cup; they have an ageing squad but Luis Suarez is still a quality player and Darwin Nunez is a real talent, who has started to prove himself at Liverpool recently.