2 million is not so little, for example, Iceland with a population of just over 300 thousand people relatively recently got to the final part of the World Cup, and reached the quarter-finals at the European Championship. There will also be surprises at this World Cup, maybe not from such small teams, but I wouldn't be surprised if some African team makes it to the later stages of the tournament.
Too early to conclude who is going to win and who will reach to the top.
Once the teams will enter the ground that will show how they are going to perform.
Sure. On the one hand, I agree with you, but on the other hand, bookmakers are already taking bets on that event with might and main. Here is a group of favorites:
Brazil 5.50
England 6.55
France 7.00
Spain 8.95
Argentina 8.95
Germany 11.90
Portugal 13.00
Netherlands 13.00
Belgium 13.10
If I remember correctly, the last time I looked at the quotes, Brazil and England were on the same level, and France lagged behind quite a bit. It turns out that the games in the League of Nations had a negative impact on the chances of European teams.