Yousra Zaki, Deputy Guides Editor
I would bet on Germany as the winners of the World Cup this year. Unlike most other teams, Germany don’t have one or two star players, instead Joachim Loew has trained the entire squad to play together as a strong team. They will most likely overcome Mexico, Sweden and South Korea to get out of their group and into the knockout stage and could and should go all the way.
Gautam Bhattacharyya, Sports Editor
I will put my money on the Samba Boys of Brazil this time — not only because they are my emotional favourites when it comes to the World Cup, but the side offers a lot more variety and depth than last time. Neymar’s comeback in the warm-up game against Croatia must have made their fans worldwide breathe a sigh of relief, but this team under coach Tite is more than just a one-man show.
The bookies have made them odds-on favourite along with Germany and France, and one feels a redemption for the 2014 semis horror show could be round the corner.
Ashley Hammond, Senior Sports Reporter
England! That got your attention. Seriously though, no one wants to read a procession of uninspired Germany, Brazil, France, Spain predictions without at least one long shot stuck in there. And, why can’t England win it? They’ve got a young and spirited squad with absolutely zero expectation or pressure hanging over them, plus fortune has favoured them with recent Under-17 and Under-20 World Cup wins. Football is about teams not stars, and what’s life about if you just lose all hope entirely?
Matthew Smith, Deputy Sports Editor
With all the talk of Germany, Spain and Brazil, Didier Deschamps and his French boys in blue have quietly gone about their preparations in an efficient and entertaining style. A 2-0 friendly win over the Republic of Ireland was followed up with an impressive dismantling of Italy 3-1. Five goals from five different players (Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud, Samuel Umtiti, Nabil Fekir, Ousmane Dembele)
Add into that attacking mix Thomas Lemar, Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe and the goal-hungry neutrals will be licking their lips every time they get on the ball. One thing France can guarantee is goals. And a shiny gold trophy too in my opinion.
Shamsheer Mohammed, IT coordinator and Kicks At Six pundit
My treasured Germany, France, Brazil and Spain are the favourites on paper but this time I want Lionel Messi to win the World Cup as I haven’t seen a better player than him in my lifetime and the World Cup is the holy grail, which he should win to be recognised as the best unanimously.
But he will have to withstand pressure and produce absolute magic himself to nick it as, without him, Argentina don’t look like champions material to me.
