But somebody forgot to tell little Bangladesh that they don't belong.
After beating India in the first round, they proved on Saturday that that result was no fluke with a 67-run Super Eights win against mighty South Africa, the world's top-ranked team, in Guyana.
This World Cup had already seen one of the all-time great upsets when Ireland's part-timers sent 1992 champions Pakistan crashing out of the tournament with a three-wicket win at Jamaica's Sabina Park.
On St Patrick's Day, the World Cup debutants chased a revised target of 128 from 47 overs to win with 32 balls to spare, when captain Trent Johnson smashed Azhar Mahmood over long-on for six after Niall O'Brien had made 72.
After a shock-free first World Cup in 1975, Sri Lanka posted the first real upset win four years later when they beat India by 47 runs at Old Trafford.
Sri Lanka made 238 for five thanks to fifties from Siddath Wettimuny, Duleep Mendis and Roy Dias.
They then dismissed India for 191, Stanley