Cup sleepers include Iceland, Belgium

Don’t count out Portugal, either

Here are five sleeper teams in the World Cup that could impress with either a deep run through the knockout phase or by pulling off a surprise advancement through the group stage.

Belgium Colombia

Group H opponents: Japan, Poland, Senegal

First game: Tuesday vs. Japan Behind Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez, Colombia made an impressive run to the quarterfinals of the 2014 World Cup. Missing from that run was forward Radamel Falcao, who is Colombia’s all-time leading goal-scorer and should create a dangerous combo with Rodriguez on the offensive end. Colombia is in a very manageable group, with the Robert Lewandowski-led Poland as the other headliner.

Croatia

Group D opponents: Argentina, Iceland, Nigeria

First game: Saturday vs. Nigeria If there’s a squad that could give 2014 World Cup runner-up Argentina a run for its money in Group D, it’s Croatia. This team features Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic in the midfield and Juventus’ Mario Mandzukic as the primary goal-scoring threat. This is likely Croatia’s strongest team since it finished third in the 1998 World Cup.

Iceland

Group D opponents: Argentina, Croatia, Nigeria

First game: Saturday vs. Argentina Sure, Iceland is in a very tough group, but how could this team not be included here? The 2016 European Championship was Iceland’s first appearance in a major competition. Iceland performed surprisingly well, and even pulled off a shocking upset of England in the Round of 16.

Now, Iceland — the smallest nation by population in this year’s tournament — is in the World Cup for the first time, and its presence will draw the fandom of casual observers rooting for an underdog.

Portugal

Group B opponents: Iran, Morocco, Spain

First game: Friday vs. Spain Portugal is coming off a surprising win of the 2016 Euros. Clearly, that accomplishment will provide Portugal with the confidence needed to navigate through this year’s World Cup. Having Cristiano Ronaldo on your team doesn’t hurt either. This World Cup represents the last chance for Ronaldo — who is 33 — to win the game’s grandest prize. Portugal gets its tone-setting game right away against Spain, a team pegged as a World Cup favorite. Can Ronaldo will this team to glory?

JONATHAN NACKSTRAND AFP/GETTY IMAGES Iceland’s Birkir Bjarnason prepares for his country’s World Cup debut.