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Hop on the bandwagon: 4 World Cup teams U.S. fans should support

Reuters / Alberto Raggio

Americans are waking up Wednesday to the realization that it wasn't just a bad dream: the United States really did fail to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

Related: U.S. misses out on World Cup after stunning loss to Trinidad

What started out as a joke became a sobering reality Tuesday evening, as the USMNT's embarrassing defeat against Trinidad and Tobago, coupled with a pair of other results, left Bruce Arena and Co. on the outside looking in, and American fans scrambling for a team they can call their own next summer.

Here are four options:

Iceland

Start practicing your Viking Clap.

Now the smallest nation to ever reach a World Cup, Iceland already captured the hearts of football fans the world over after a rollicking run at Euro 2016 - one that included a memorable victory over England - and is now the de facto choice for any neutral supporter heading to Russia next summer.

Related - Watch: Iceland fans produce epic Viking clap after World Cup berth

Gylfi Sigurdsson and his sumptuous set piece skills are the star attraction on the pitch, but the Icelandic fans in the stands are the real treat; their boisterous chanting and signature, thunderous applause makes them a lovely addition to the world football landscape at major competitions.

Spain

Like a (not-so-old) fashion trend that comes back in style, the Spanish national team is once again the hottest hit in town. The distinctive, all-conquering tiki-taka style that looked to be on the wane four years ago is back with a vengeance, as Spain has re-established itself as a legitimate contender for the 2018 World Cup thanks to the development of some jaw-dropping talent that is the envy of almost every side on the international scene.

Isco is the heir to Andres Iniesta in midfield - though the veteran himself still has a part to play for La Roja; Marco Asensio will be in Ballon d'Or debates for the next decade; Alvaro Morata gives the side its first legitimate No. 9 since Fernando Torres; Saul Niguez would be an undisputed staple of the starting XI for almost any other country, but has to wait his turn behind the likes of Sergio Busquets, Thiago Alcantara, and David Silva.

After a small blip, Spain is once again going to be very good for a very long time, so get in on the action now.

Argentina

This one isn't difficult: anyone struggling to find a bandwagon should simply hop aboard the one manned by Lionel Messi.

This way, even if your new favourite team fails, you'll almost certainly still have gotten the chance to enjoy watching (arguably) the greatest footballer in history flex his muscle on the biggest sporting stage in the world.

Related: Messi the hero as Argentina avoids disaster to nab World Cup berth

You could do a hell of a lot worse than that.

Egypt

Longtime African powerhouse Egypt is finally back at the big dance after missing out on every edition of the competition since 1990 - many times in heartbreaking fashion.

The proud footballing nation was euphoric in the aftermath of Sunday's clinching victory over Congo, highlighted by this one supporter, who provided one of the most beautiful moments of the qualifying campaign when he broke down into tears of joy after seeing his country book its World Cup ticket.

That alone should be enough. If not, however, then consider how much fun it'll be to watch Mohamed Salah blaze up and down the wing, roasting defenders and turning them inside out.

Anyone in search of a country to support next summer ought to consider the Pharaohs.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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