A team outside Europe or South America 45/1 to win World Cup

The World Cup has never been won by a nation from outside Europe or South America, but there is always a first time for everything.
Coral offer special odds of 45/1 for a team away from those continental football hotbeds to make history in Brazil.

Punters may raise an eyebrow at this latest World Cup countdown bet but, before dismissing it out of hand, consider the credentials of African outfit the Ivory Coast and Mexico.

Didier Drogba’s golden generation will get their last crack a making an impression on the finals with the Ivory Coast here. There is vast experience and quality throughout their ranks, typified by Manchester City midfield powerhouse Yaya Toure, who has had his best scoring season at club level to dare.

Former Chelsea striker Drogba is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Ivorian attacking options. Swansea’s Wilfried Bony has hit 25 in all competitions this term, while Salomon Kalou, now at Lille, still produces from wide areas.

These names are afforded great protection by Newcastle United destroyer Cheick Tiote, ex-Spurs man Didier Zokora and Kolo Toure – this trio forms the defensive spine of the Elephants.

If the Ivory Coast have all the attributes to deft history, hosts Brazil will not relish playing Mexico, with the memory of the Aztecs’ gold medal triumph at the last Olympics still fresh in the minds of some players.

Oribe Peralta bagged a decisive brace in London against a Samba Boys side that contained Thiago Silva, Marcelo, Oscar, Neymar and Hulk, who came off the bench to net a consolation.

Under Miguel Herrera, El Tri have yet to taste defeat, so his 3-5-2 formation seems to be working. This tactic of fighting fire with fire, as wing backs battle for wide areas, should be absorbing.

Keep checking Coral’s site for more World Cup countdown offers in the run-up to the finals.