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When you look back over the history of the FIFA World Cup, some of the most unforgettable moments have come when an outsider upsets the big names and makes an unexpected run deep into the tournament.

Almost every one of the 22 World Cups played so far has featured at least one surprise package from outside football’s traditional powerhouses — from Morocco reaching the semi-finals in 2022, to Turkey finishing third in 2002, or Cameroon pushing England to the edge in the 1990 quarter-finals.

So, which lesser-known sides could cause a stir when the competition kicks off across North America later this week? FourFourTwo takes a closer look at a few potential surprise contenders...

Norway are back at the World Cup for the first time since 1998 and boast what many are calling a Golden Generation, making them prime candidates to play the dark horse role.

No opponent will relish facing a fully fit and in-form Erling Haaland, while newly crowned Premier League-winning captain Martin Odegaard adds leadership and creativity. They’ll be supported by talents such as Oscar Bobb, Julian Ryerson and Alexander Sorloth — players with valuable experience competing and winning in Europe’s top five leagues.

Haaland’s 16 goals in qualifying accounted for less than half of Norway’s European-best total of 37, showing just how potent their attack can be. They’ll need every bit of that firepower to navigate a tough group featuring France, Senegal and Iraq.

Much has been said about the intense conditions teams will face in North America, and if any side is equipped to handle the heat better than the Europeans, it’s Ecuador.

Under coach Sebastian Beccacece, Ecuador have suffered only one defeat in their last 19 matches and finished second only to Argentina in South American qualifying. Their physicality and adaptability could prove decisive.

With stars like Moises Caicedo, Piero Hincapie and Willian Pacho forming the backbone of the team, Ecuador have assembled a resilient unit capable of advancing from a group featuring Germany, Ivory Coast and Curacao — and possibly replicating their 2006 run to the round of 16. Their play may not always be the most attractive, but it’s undeniably effective.

Host nations often exceed expectations, and among the three co-hosts this time, Mexico seem the best placed to go deep into the tournament.

Drawn in Group A alongside Czech Republic, South Korea and South Africa, Mexico bring tournament-winning pedigree, having lifted the Gold Cup just a year ago and followed it up with a Nations League triumph.

Recent form has been encouraging, and if experienced campaigners like Edson Alvarez and Raul Jimenez can combine effectively with youthful talents such as teenage midfielder Gilberto Mora, El Tri could finally break their knockout-stage drought dating back to 1986.

For those seeking a true wild card — a team capable of either a shock run or an early exit — Sweden might fit the bill perfectly.

After a dismal qualifying campaign that saw them finish bottom of their group and cost Jon Dahl Tomasson his job, Sweden took advantage of the Nations League pathway to beat Poland in the play-offs under new coach Graham Potter.

Despite his struggles at Chelsea and West Ham, Potter remains a respected figure in Sweden, where he first made his name with Ostersund. He has restored a pragmatic approach built on solid defending and quick counterattacks.

If Sweden can stay organised at the back, forwards Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak possess the quality to make the difference. That could give them a fighting chance of advancing from a challenging group featuring the Netherlands, Japan — another potential surprise package — and Tunisia.