Galopin Des Champs = Brazil: which horses match up with the 32 World Cup teams?

After months of waiting, the 2022 Fifa World Cup gets under way in Qatar on Sunday with 32 nations across the world fighting it out for football's most prestigious prize. Before Sunday's opening game, in which the hosts face Ecuador, we assigned a popular jumps star to each country taking part.

Group A

Qatar:Coole Cody

Have the great advantage of being on a home track, which could see them go unexpectedly well, but may be up against it faced with classier opponents.

Asterion Forlonge: a regular at the top levelCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Ecuador: Asterion Forlonge

Regulars at the top level. Not without controversy and have shown glimmers of promise, but will ultimately come up short again.

Senegal:Tommys Oscar

A big fish in a small pond, but not one of the bigger fish in this biggest of ponds.

Netherlands:Klassical Dream

Have been in the doldrums before. The talent is there but they have their quirks, which has stopped them delivering often at the top, but you know they will be dangerous no matter what.

Group B

Noble Yeats: 2022 Grand National winnerCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

England: Noble Yeats

Unusual. The talent is there and they know how to hang around even if it is less glamorous. Well put together for a specific test.

Iran: Bardenstown Lad

Keep showing up at the big events but likely to be outpaced in their contests from the off.

USA: Fakir D'Oudairies

Continue to go under the radar. Among the stars and you know they will show their talent in their weaker division, but ultimately be outclassed by the very best.

Wales: Dashel Drasher

Unheralded, but have put themselves on the map with a series of displays that win over hearts and minds.

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Group C

Argentina: Frodon

So much desire and heart, and one diminutive star at the centre pulling all the strings. They've always got a big performance in them each time.

Saudi Arabia: Sussex Road

They keep showing up to their credit, but they will be very long odds again to do anything and ultimately are set to be no-hopers.

Sceau Royal: well supported like MexicoCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Mexico: Sceau Royal

Will have an exuberant army of loyal supporters banging their drum. An old stayer of the tournament who can hit a high level, but ultimately come short up against the elite.

Poland: Tornado Flyer

You just know they have one opportunity to upset the big guns with a star performance, but only once. Keep them an arm's length away, but not too far to be shocked.

Group D

Shishkin: can France come out on top like Nicky Henderson's star?Credit: Edward Whitaker

France: Shishkin

Talent, pace and agility to burn, but might all go horribly wrong without any warning. Need to desperately prove their brilliant best on the big stage.

Australia: Pentland Hills

Another who will have a big army of supporters cheering them on, but current form means it may just be the days out for them with some minor hope.

Denmark: Edwardstone

Perhaps a little unglamorous, but highly effective and it all adds up to more than the sum of their parts.

Tunisia: Royale Pagaille

Made in France, expect them to be a tough battle but could fall pretty short of the top standard needed.

Group E

Spain: Constitution Hill

Young, fresh, exciting and full of attacking talent. Will they be able to deliver in the same way against top-class opposition?

Costa Rica: Monmiral

Plenty of talent in the youth to unleash, but it's a case of whether they're ready to unleash that just yet. Could be dark horses as they've gone well in the past.

Honeysuckle: has been associated with GermanyCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Germany: Honeysuckle

Perhaps a little overlooked given others have turned heads, but an impressive record, plenty of talent and a master at the helm plotting their course.

Japan: Brewin'upastorm

No obvious reason why they should now be able to make a big step up to the elite level but have the talent to at least give them a good go. Could farm some minor contests.

Group F

Belgium: Envoi Allen

A one-time generational talent, turned busted flush, turned maybe, just maybe, they are going to get their act together and deliver on all that promise?

Knappers Hill: always delivers a bold showCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Canada: Knappers Hill

Yet to be tried at the highest level and set for a rise in grade, but it might not be the biggest shock in the world if they produce a bold show.

Morocco: Galvin

Not devoid of top quality, but sometimes flatter to deceive and may now be better off in easier competitions.

Croatia: Sharjah

Wily, know how to get the job done and a real threat when everything is in their favour. They know how to perform on the big stage when it's right for them.

Group G

Brazil: Galopin Des Champs

All flamboyance and attacking flair, but capable of the odd mishap that leaves fans stunned.

Greaneteen: likened to SerbiaCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Serbia: Greaneteen

Well rounded, with some big wins on their CV. Always capable of causing an upset against supposedly stronger opposition.

Switzerland: Eldorado Allen

Neither liked or disliked and are usually pleasing to watch. You feel as if they're capable of really hitting the top sometimes, but ultimately always come up just short.

Cameroon: Chacun Pour Soi

Produced some individual great performances in the past, but, you keep being left 'what if?' with them. Probably still in slight decline now.

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Group H

Portugal: Bristol De Mai

For all they have the back form and class to suggest they are a danger, getting on and recent record leaves a bit to be desired.

Ghana: Bob Olinger

Used to be a great, fun watch after a terrific run of things before, but looked a shadow of their former selves subsequently. Back on the big stage, but best watched.

Melon: has plenty of talent like UruguayCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Uruguay: Melon

Unlikely to win but enough talent to mix it with the best and give them a scare. You always hope they might finally pull off an upset.

South Korea: First Flow

Have form in causing big upsets on the big stage and dominant when it falls in their favour, but they have their ceiling and are vulnerable to those with more permanent class.

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