1 hour ago
Which 2 teams will scope nan last – and who will win?
Spain and Portugal successful nan final, pinch Spain winning. I’ve played our Bracketology game 20 times and gotten 20 different paths but Spain ever extremity up winning. Alexander Abnos
My latest tilt astatine nan Guardian’s addictive Bracketology instrumentality has thrown up a France versus Argentina rematch. Rather than rotation nan dice again. I’ll spell pinch France to win. Nick Ames
The early that the 2007 photograph manifested: Lamine Yamal and Spain versus Lionel Messi and Argentina. It’s a toss-up; astatine nan clip of penning my coin lands for Spain. Ella Brockway
France hit Portugal successful nan final. Ben Fisher
England to hit France. They are heavy and talented, person a head whose strengths construe good to knockout football, astatine slightest look to beryllium prepared for nan conditions and, crucially, person nan organization acquisition that comes from runs to nan quarter-finals and beyond astatine nan past 4 awesome tournaments. Bryan Armen Graham
Spain will meet France successful nan last and nan French will prevail. Maybe. Barry Glendenning
France to hit Argentina. Didier Deschamps has nan attacking talent to make nan quality erstwhile it matters nan most. David Hytner
In my Guardian Bracketology draught I person England gathering Spain, pinch Spain nan victors. This expresses a abrupt unreserved of optimism astir England contempt respective months of mediocre shape and a belief that Spain’s squad is much rounded than France’s. I consciousness Spain’s method expertise and clear personality would beryllium decisive successful a final. Paul MacInnes
A repetition scenario: France and Argentina, but pinch a different outcome. France to return nan trophy. Ewan Murray
France person nan spot successful extent to triumph a 3rd title. As for nan squad that will play them? It could beryllium Argentina erstwhile again. Osasu Obayiuwana
Spain and Portugal, pinch Spain elevating nan rivalry moreover further pinch a celebrated triumph complete nan first-time finalist. Jeff Rueter
When I plotted it retired a fewer weeks agone I had France beating Argentina – but since past much knowledgeable group opportunity Argentina aren’t immoderate good. So Spain. Or France. Or, nary I won’t opportunity it … could we? Max Rushden
I ran a full simulation for illustration nan pro I’ve ne'er been accused of being and landed connected France and Argentina. And France win. They person much talent and acquisition than anyone. Leander Schaerlaeckens
The conditions mightiness suit Argentina but I deliberation they’ll suffer to Spain successful nan last – assuming that Luis de la Fuente’s wingers are connected form. Jacob Steinberg
France to hit Spain successful nan final. Spain are European champions but injuries and fatigue whitethorn hamper them, while France person nan spot successful extent to flooded nan disadvantage of an overly cautious coach. Jonathan Wilson
Who will triumph nan Golden Boot?
Mikel Oyarzabal. The Spain guardant has nan chance to rack up goals against Cape Verde successful nan group shape and will presumably beryllium playing heavy into nan tournament, moreover if they don’t make nan last arsenic I predicted. AA
Even if he whitethorn not assistance nan trophy, Harry Kane is successful irrepressible nick and could get capable joyousness successful England’s first 4 games to rack up a decisive lead. Outside shout: Japan’s Ayase Ueda, nan free-scoring spearhead of a broadside that should spell very well. NA
Kane will return England to a semi-final against Argentina, and past a extremity successful nan third-place crippled will push him past Kylian Mbappé for apical scorer. EB
Kane could capable his boots. BF
Mbappé. No subordinate has ever won nan Golden Boot twice, but football’s astir devastating modulation subordinate is simply a smart stake to go nan first. Few players successful this year’s tourney harvester his finishing value pinch nan likelihood of playing 7 aliases 8 matches. BAG
Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal could capable his boots against Cape Verde successful nan group shape and people capable disconnected nan chair successful consequent matches to return location this prize. BG
Mbappé. DH
Kane. He is truthful reliable and England’s opening fixtures are not excessively demanding he could build up a decent full by nan past 16. PM
Mbappé. EM
Could good travel from a state that does not spell acold successful nan tournament, for illustration Norway’s Erling Haaland. Gary Lineker won nan Golden Boot astatine Mexico 1986 contempt England not going beyond nan quarter-finals. OO
In an era pinch worryingly fewer elite forwards, Kane cements his legacy, and his lawsuit for nan Ballon d’Or. JR
I can’t jinx Harry Kane truthful I’ll opportunity Brian Brobbey, because I for illustration saying it. MR
Mbappé. Even successful a troubled season, he scored 49 goals. A World Cup wherever play will slow down successful nan power and exhaustion besides plays correct into his hands connected nan counterattack. LS
Kane is yet going into a tourney successful apical condition. JS
Mbappé: France will spell heavy and he will beryllium their premier attacking spearhead and punishment taker. He already has 12 World Cup goals and could return Miroslav Klose’s all-time record. JW
Who will beryllium nan astonishment squad of nan tournament?
Ecuador. The South Americans fto successful a ridiculous 5 goals done 18 games of qualifying and will bask beardown support. I person them making nan semi-finals. AA
Ecuador fresh nan measure pinch a world-class defence, an outstanding midfield wide successful Moisés Caicedo and an expertise to claw a foothold successful virtually immoderate game. Their way to nan quarter-finals looks reliable but cipher will relish facing a broadside that gives hardly thing away. NA
Solid defences spell a agelong measurement successful tourney play and Ecuador person one. In 13 matches this twelvemonth and last, they person conceded conscionable six goals. That protect instauration should dress up for their deficiency of goalscoring and thief them to astatine slightest nan past 16. EB
Norway breezed done qualifying to scope their first World Cup since 1998, winning each 8 matches and scoring 37 goals, Erling Haaland bagging 16 of them. They are stacked pinch talent going forward. I for illustration Japan, too, moreover if they whitethorn suffice from Group F successful third. BF
Senegal. They are difficult to break down and boast capable gait and productivity connected nan counterattack to problem immoderate force – and they’ll beryllium connected a revenge circuit aft the Afcon fiasco. BAG
Ecuador vanished 2nd to Argentina successful South American qualifying and could raise a fewer eyebrows. They look a small ray up beforehand but person a superb defence, an fantabulous midfield and will beryllium mostly unperturbed by nan conditions. BG
Japan person a horrible group but they make things horrible for their opponents pinch nan measurement they hunt successful packs. The question, arsenic usual, will beryllium whether they tin people capable goals. Hajime Moriyasu’s expansive 3-4-2-1 provides nan platform. DH
The promising teams extracurricular nan accustomed suspects each look to beryllium heading for nan aforesaid 4th of nan draw: Ecuador, Norway and Japan person bully qualifying records, decent squads and a clear identity. They could each extremity up knocking each different retired though. PM
Japan is simply a state of much than 120 cardinal group but it has ne'er been beyond nan past 16 of nan World Cup. They will do truthful this time. EM
Cape Verde. The Island state of 500,000 group whitethorn beryllium making their debut astatine nan World Cup, and do not person immoderate superstars, but they are well-drilled and will not beryllium anyone’s cannon fodder. Underestimate them astatine your peril. OO
A celebrated prime arsenic 2022’s acheronian horse, Ecuador now person acold much experience. Few teams tin lucifer a first-choice defense boasting Willian Pacho, Piero Hincapié, Joel Ordóñez and Pervis Estupiñán, and they’ve sewage nan manufacture of Caicedo to support them from being overworked. JR
Someone successful nan previews suggested Scotland’s midfield could springiness Brazil a game. MR
Norway. Been distant since 1998 and, I think, could triumph a knockout crippled aliases two. LS
Ecuador person defenders who played successful nan Champions League, a midfield marshalled by Caicedo and are unbeaten successful 18 games. They look awkward and mightiness fancy themselves successful these conditions. JS
Japan will beryllium without Kaoru Mitoma, but moreover without him and a mates of different wounded doubts, they swept done qualifying. Might beryllium nan champion Asian broadside successful history. JW
Who will beryllium breakthrough subordinate of nan tournament?
Gilberto Mora, Mexico. The 17-year-old plays pinch a maturity beyond his years and a productivity that’s a joyousness to watch. He seems primed for a scene-stealing infinitesimal aliases 2 for nan co-hosts. AA
I had desperately been hoping to opportunity “Lennart Karl”. In nan Germany prodigy’s unfortunate absence, Antonio Nusa of Norway mightiness conscionable bargain nan segment from better-known teammates if things click for nan 21-year-old. NA
Côte d’Ivoire winger Yan Diomande could good person a standout tourney and subsequently gain a move to a bigger European club. He’s fast, a creator and has already been linked pinch Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain. EB
Rayan. The 19-year-old seamlessly adapted to nan Premier League aft joining Bournemouth successful January and past period scored his first Brazil extremity astatine nan Maracanã. He has impressed Carlo Ancelotti, who preferred him to Richarlison and João Pedro. BF
Nusa. Nicknamed nan Norwegian Neymar arsenic a teenager, nan 21-year-old RB Leipzig winger is simply a fearless dribbler pinch an oculus for spectacular goals. With Norway backmost astatine nan World Cup for nan first clip successful 28 years, and Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard taking up truthful overmuch of nan spotlight, he feels perfectly positioned to denote himself to nan world. BAG
On nan off-chance Turkey lives up to their accustomed billing arsenic acheronian horses, I expect 21-year-old winger Kenan Yildiz to beryllium a standout player. BG
Diomande. Premier League scouts are watching. DH
This could beryllium a bully tourney for wingers, pinch nan expertise to hit a man astatine a premium successful stultifying conditions. So possibly it will beryllium nan twelvemonth Rayan breaks out, aliases Diomande, aliases Morocco’s Gessime Yassine aliases moreover Scotland’s Ben Gannon-Doak. PM
Japan’s Keito Nakamura. Also support an oculus retired for Mexico’s 17-year-old midfielder Gilberto Mora. EM
Lamine Yamal. The World Cup is 1 to make his ain if Luis de la Fuente’s strategies springiness him nan level to show his afloat potential. OO
Perhaps a tame pick, but Arda Güler is easy to place among Real Madrid’s cadre of galácticos. He’ll beryllium nan main man for Turkey successful a winnable Group D. JR
Manuel Neuer, Enner Valencia, Dick Advocaat. MR
Ricardo Pepi. The PSV Eindhoven striker has looked incredibly crisp of precocious and will person nan United States crowd down him. He’s a extremity instrumentality who has ne'er rather put it together – yet. LS
Enzo Fernández made his sanction astatine nan past World Cup. This clip I’m looking guardant to seeing really different young Argentinian, Nico Paz, does. He has been fantabulous for Como. JS
Ibrahim Maza of Algeria is only 20 but already has a increasing estimation astatine Bayer Leverkusen. A skilful No 10 pinch that captious capacity to spot abstraction a fraction earlier it appears. JW
Which subordinate aliases squad are you astir looking guardant to watching?
I don’t cognize that I’d needfully opportunity I’m “looking forward” to this, but I americium highly willing to spot really Iran execute fixed nan unprecedented magnitude of non-football-related worldly that has affected their preparations, their mundane lives, and those of their families, loved ones and mundane group successful their country. AA
It whitethorn beryllium asking excessively overmuch fixed his wounded problems, but Alexander Isak would illuminate nan tourney if Graham Potter tin coax his champion form. I’m keen to spot if Morocco tin double down connected nan ferocity and flair that brought them to nan semi-finals successful 2022 and whether an breathtaking Senegal tin clear their heads of Afcon last grievances to execute thing similar. NA
Japan person been progressive successful immoderate of nan World Cup’s astir entertaining upsets successful caller years – they hit Germany and Spain successful Qatar contempt managing little than 30% possession successful each game. The absence of Kaoru Mitoma is simply a rustle but they person a good way retired of Group F. If different parts of nan tie autumn their way, a tally to nan semi-finals is not unrealistic. EB
There is simply a romance to those who cognize this, surely, will beryllium their past World Cup. Edin Dzeko, Guillermo Ochoa, Luka Modric. See besides New Zealand’s 36-year-old centre-back Tommy Smith, who plays for Braintree Town. BF
Lamine Yamal. It is uncommon for a subordinate this young to already consciousness for illustration 1 of nan sport’s main attractions. Yamal arrives pinch a chance to go nan defining subordinate of his procreation earlier his 20th birthday. Every touch carries nan anticipation of thing unforgettable. BAG
As an Irishman, I can’t hold to spot my compatriot Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes statement up for Cape Verde. A very likeable Dubliner who qualifies done his father, he’ll person 2 mini nations afloat down him. BG
I’m going to opportunity England and not conscionable because I’m covering them. Thomas Tuchel is 1 of nan astir persuasive orators I’ve heard successful nan game. I for illustration his attraction to detail, nan clarity of his plan, and it each seems to make sense. It will beryllium fascinating to spot really it each plays out. DH
I americium fortunate capable to beryllium scheduled to watch Brazil v Scotland. I retrieve David Narey, I retrieve John Collins and I’d for illustration to spot immoderate much of that. PM
The reply to this would beryllium Morocco were they not apt to inflict superior harm connected Scotland. So it is Scotland, backmost connected nan biggest shape aft a sometimes achy 28-year wait. EM
Cape Verde. Every connoisseur of nan crippled loves an underdog that tin defy nan likelihood and person a superb World Cup run. OO
Belgium are free of nan pressures accompanying their aureate generation, but Kevin De Bruyne is still a world people string-puller and Jérémy Doku will dizzy opponents into fits. JR
I for illustration nan constants successful life – Portugal being worse because of Cristiano Ronaldo, heroic early nonaccomplishment for Scotland, complete mania astir whichever of Jude Bellingham aliases Morgan Rogers isn’t playing. Why can’t England support nan ball? I’m besides looking guardant to seeing really basking and bothered De Bruyne looks aft 5 minutes successful nan power successful wherever Belgium are playing. MR
Spain. I don’t retrieve them being this young, this bully and this breathtaking since Euro 2008. LS
Erling Haaland will beryllium fascinating successful his first world tournament. The Norway striker is simply a modern awesome astatine nine level and doing it astatine a World Cup would guarantee his bequest stands nan trial of time. JS
I really dream there’s a constituent astatine which nan Netherlands, hopeless for a goal, extremity up going agelong to a beforehand pairing of Brian Brobbey and Wout Weghorst. Otherwise I’m delighted DR Congo, aft truthful galore adjacent misses, person yet made it for nan first clip successful 52 years. JW
How acold will England and Scotland get?
England consciousness a strangely chartless amount nether Thomas Tuchel fixed their deficiency of elite tests and a new-look squad. The quarter-finals look a earthy resting place. Scotland will scope nan past 16 earlier packing their bags. NA
Semi-finals and past 16 respectively. BF
England will travel a astonishment cropper successful nan past 16 against co-hosts astatine 2,200 metres supra oversea level successful Mexico City, while luckless Scotland will almost surely beryllium 1 of nan 4 third-placed teams who don’t make it retired of nan group stage. BG
England are good group to warrant their seeding and scope nan semi-finals. Scotland to exit successful nan past 32. DH
England will make nan last (or spell retired astatine altitude successful Mexico 3 rounds before). Scotland, acknowledgment to nan levels of capacity and not nan unbelievably accommodating group-stage structure, will make it to past 32. PM
England will suffer to Brazil successful nan quarter-finals. Scotland will already person been beaten by Mexico, successful Mexico City, successful nan past 32. EM
England – not rather acold enough. Scotland to get retired of nan group. MR
Thomas Tuchel’s an elite head but England’s way is reliable and history would not beryllium connected their broadside successful a quarter-final against Brazil successful Miami. Scotland to suffer to Mexico successful nan past 32. JS
England to hit Scotland successful nan past 32 past spell retired to France successful nan quarter-final. That would consciousness very Scottish: yet getting done a group astatine a awesome tourney only for nan worst imaginable outcome. JW
How acold will nan big nations get?
Truly thing seems imaginable for this US group. I’ll opportunity past 16 and hole to beryllium wrong, 1 measurement aliases nan other. Mexico will make a tally to nan quarter-finals. Canada’s tally will extremity successful nan past 32. AA
The US: Should make it retired of nan group, moreover without Chris Richards astatine afloat strength, but what comes aft that is little certain. Canada: Star left-back Alphonso Davies will astir apt miss nan opener aft suffering a hamstring sound astatine nan extremity of Bayern Munich’s season. Best case: quarter-final. Worst case: round-of-32 exit. Mexico: Have a favorable tie and should decorativeness first successful Group A. Doing so, though, would put them connected a clang people to look nan Group L leader (probably England) successful nan past 16. EB
All 3 should past nan first hurdle of a bloated format. After that, reality bites. The US and Mexico are each but definite to beryllium bundled retired by nan first genuine heavyweights they encounter, whether successful nan information of 32 aliases past 16, while a glimpse astatine Canada’s squad leaves maine emotion almost thing astatine all. Anything much will apt require nan aforesaid benignant of host-nation pixie particulate that propelled South Korea to nan semi-finals successful 2002. BAG
Canada will beryllium thrilled to beforehand beyond nan group shape for nan first clip earlier bowing retired successful nan information of 32. Mexico and nan United States will spell a measurement further earlier information of 16 exit. JR
I fishy nan US will clang retired successful nan past 16. Canada and Mexico will beryllium stranded astatine that shape arsenic well. Home advantage only gets you truthful acold and each 3 countries person individual talent but are collectively limited. LS
Which African federation will spell nan furthest?
Morocco became nan first squad from Africa to scope a World Cup semi-final successful Qatar 4 years ago. The Atlas Lions person nan expertise to do truthful again and, even, spell further if Mohamed Ouahbi, nan coach who took complete from nan very awesome Walid Regragui tin tweak nan squad successful nan correct manner. OO
What are you astir looking guardant to extracurricular of nan games?
There is simply a batch of justifiable negativity surrounding nan tournament, and I don’t deliberation that’s going to stop. So I’m looking guardant to seeing smaller stories that counterbalance that: joyous moments of taste exchange, Americans getting turned connected to nan champion athletics successful nan world, and nan like. AA
The warm, hospitable, open, compassionate broadside of nan United States that, from this region and successful these corrosive times, it has been excessively easy to hide exists. It would beryllium bully to return location holding a small much religion successful humanity’s guidance of travel. NA
Sentences being said that person ne'er been said before: “The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Raymond James Stadium is simply a cathedral of sport”, “Spain person arrived successful downtown Chattanooga”, “The world’s largest java cookware was flown to St Louis to travel Bosnia and Herzegovina”. The World Cup is beautiful. EB
Visiting Canada for nan first time. Staying afloat fresh would besides beryllium invited – by this constituent astatine Euro 2024 I was connected crutches, truthful it’s been a coagulated start. BF
George Carlin’s statement that “it’s a large nine and you ain’t successful it” could service arsenic Fifa’s unofficial motto these days. The governing assemblage expects to make astir $13bn from this World Cup, moreover arsenic tickets stay retired of scope for astir mean fans. Yet for each nan cynicism and almost comically bad vibes successful nan run-up, I will ever cherish nan World Cup’s unsocial expertise to present you to countries, cultures and communities you mightiness different ne'er encounter. Today, I consciousness Cape Verdean. BAG
I’m fortunate capable to beryllium staying successful Hollywood for nan group shape and, arsenic a keen Harry Bosch fan, scheme to sojourn immoderate of nan fictional detective’s favourite restaurants and jazz bars. BG
I’m willing to observe first-hand really America genuinely feels astir this awesome crippled of ours. DH
Finding nan pockets wherever nan joy, enthusiasm and genial delirium of nan shot instrumentality spills retired connected to nan streets. PM
Del Amitri’s gig successful Boston connected 18 June. EM
I’m keen to spot whether nan world cynicism astir this World Cup, stemming from geopolitical issues, will dissipate. Only high-quality shot – aliases nan chopped deficiency of it – will reply this pertinent question. OO
The defiant joyousness of organization astir shot successful spite of Fifa’s summons pricing. The truest beauty of a World Cup comes from nan sheer standard of organization that enjoys it together – and you can’t put a value connected that. JR
Am I looking guardant to surviving successful nan aforesaid flat arsenic Barry Glendenning for nan adjacent six weeks? I don’t know. He claims he is very debased maintenance. I surely bask annoying him, truthful location is each chance I will break him earlier he breaks me. MR
I really dream nan United States and Canada drawback shot fever – this is simply a imperishable information successful Mexico, truthful nary concerns location – and elevate nan athletics to a higher plane. I’m skeptical this will hap fixed really difficult it will beryllium for group to conscionable rotation into a game, nan measurement they did successful 1994. But I stay optimistic. LS
Fifa accepting expanding nan number of teams to 48 is simply a mistake. Ha! JS
Being successful nan World Cup bubble, wherever thing other matters and renewing acquaintances pinch group you only ever spot astatine awesome tournaments. JW
