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One reason every team at the World Cup can win

By Ty Finch

MOSCOW, RUSSIA DECEMBER 1, 2017: Winner's trophy at the Final Draw for 2018 FIFA World Cup at the State Kremlin Palace. Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS (Photo by Stanislav Krasilnikov\TASS via Getty Images)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA DECEMBER 1, 2017: Winner's trophy at the Final Draw for 2018 FIFA World Cup at the State Kremlin Palace. Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS (Photo by Stanislav Krasilnikov\TASS via Getty Images) /
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Argentinian soccer ace Diego Maradona lifts the trophy after Argentina was crowned world champion of the 1986 World Cup at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. (Photo by Horacio Villalobos/Corbis via Getty Images)
Argentinian soccer ace Diego Maradona lifts the trophy after Argentina was crowned world champion of the 1986 World Cup at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. (Photo by Horacio Villalobos/Corbis via Getty Images) /

Saudi Arabia: Miracles

In 1986, Diego Maradona made history and folklore when he tucked home a goal against England with his hand. The move, dubbed the “Hand of God,” is one of the most infamous goals in soccer history.

Why bring up this old history lesson? Well, if The Falcons of Saudi Arabia want to win the World Cup, they’ll need an actual hand of a higher deity to guide them through to the end.

Saudi Arabia have made the World Cup four times before 2018, but only progressed through the group stage once. They finished second in their group behind Japan to qualify this year, just sneaking in with a 1-0 win over Japan in the final game of qualifying.

Saudi Arabia are also the lowest FIFA-ranked country in the tournament and one of the least experienced. Of the predicted roster they’ll take to the World Cup, only five players have over 50 caps for the national team. Coupled with the dearth of talent in their squad comparative to the rest of the countries, that doesn’t bode well for them.

So, how can The Falcons win the World Cup? There’s always a chance that some outside force can influence, well, every single one of their matches. They’ll likely be underdogs in every game they play, even in the group stage, even against Russia. Saudi Arabia will need not just one miracle to win it all, but multiple, unexplainable events in succession.

If you’re rooting for them to drive their way through this competition, you might want to think about praying as well.

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