The World Cup is supposed to belong to the giants. What keeps it unpredictable is how often it doesn't.
Croatia, a nation of under four million people, reached the final in 2018 and the semi-finals again in 2022. Morocco went further than any African or Arab nation ever had in 2022, reaching the last four and beating heavyweights along the way. South Korea stunned the world by reaching the semi-finals on home soil in 2002, and Senegal announced themselves the same year.
These runs matter because they remind everyone that organisation, belief and a brilliant tournament can beat reputation. For neutral fans, there is nothing better than adopting an underdog and riding the wave with them.