The World Cup gets underway this week with five weeks of action set to excite, infuriate and ultimately most likely disappoint.
Spain and France are the favourites, although defending champions Argentina and England cannot be discounted.
We have asked our writers to give their predictions, and explain their choices, for various categories, including tournament winners, Golden Boot for top scorer and Golden Ball for best player…
And who will have the greater influence as old-stagers Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo slug it out for perhaps the final time?
After much deliberation, these were the outcomes.
Table of Contents
Jon Fisher
Winner: England – Thomas Tuchel may have named a slightly controversial squad but the starting XI looks familiar and has every ingredient required to go all the way.
Runners-up: Spain – The Three Lions are good enough to gain revenge for their Euro 2024 defeat with Tuchel providing the point of difference.
Semi-finalists: Argentina, Portugal – Argentina will give a strong defence of their crown but ultimately fall short to the dismay of Lionel Messi’s legion of fans. Portugal have the squad but not the coach to succeed.
How far will England get: Winners – Yes, it needs key players to stay fit and perform well but you could say that about any of the contenders. Man for man they can cut it with the best in the world.
Surprise package: Japan – The first team to qualify have wins over England and Brazil on their CV over the past 12 months. They will miss the injured Karol Mitoma but Hajime Moriyasu’s side are well drilled and have the quality to go deep.
Biggest flop: France – Les Bleus have the best attacking line-up in the tournament but there are questions marks around the defence, particularly if William Saliba is not fit. Didier Deschamps’ caution will also hold them back.
Golden Ball: Declan Rice – The recipient normally comes from the tournament winners so it makes sense to go for an England player and Rice is the heartbeat of the team.
Golden Boot: Lionel Messi – The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will turn 39 in June but who would bet against him lighting up the tournament on his international swansong? Messi’s eyes would have lit up after Argentina were placed in a group with Algeria, Austria and Jordan.
Golden Glove: Emiliano Martinez – Argentina will be tough to beat and Aston Villa goalkeeper Martinez is arguably the best in the world.
Young Player Award (for players under 21 at the start of 2026): Lamine Yamal – The Barcelona and Spain superstar will replicate the brilliance he showed on the European stage two years ago.
Who will score the most, Messi or Ronaldo?: Lionel Messi – and it won’t be close. Messi will spearhead Argentina’s challenge while Ronaldo will prove a hinderance to Portugal.
Mitch Fretton
Winner: France – They have too much attacking quality not to make at least the final four, and I’m backing Les Bleus’ experience to get the job done and become champions for the second time in three tournaments.
Runners-up: England – The nearly men again. The Three Lions will make hard work of this tournament and ultimately fall short.
Semi-finalists: Spain, Argentina – Four of the favourites will live up to the expectations; no surprises this summer.
How far will England get?: Final – Always the bridesmaids, never the brides. England slip-up at the end again.
Surprise package: Mexico – Watch out for the most successful of the host nations. They could cause some issues for a few of the big boys.
Biggest flop: Brazil – They have the hype and history, but once again they will flop at the World Cup.
Golden Ball: Michael Olise – Watch this space, the Bayern Munich man has been immense this season and is drawing interest from Real Madrid. The Frenchman will light up the tournament.
Golden Boot: Harry Kane – Will continue his incredible goalscoring record this summer, despite falling short of the big prize.
Golden Glove: Jordan Pickford – Tuchel’s England do not concede many goals.
Young Player Award: Lamine Yamal – An easy pick, considering how strong Spain will be.
Who will score the most, Messi or Ronaldo?: Ronaldo – Messi had his moment in 2022, and I am expecting Ronaldo to throw everything at his final shot.
Tom Rostance
Winner: France – France boast unmatched squad depth and tournament experience. They may enter the tournament with a few injury worries but an electric frontline containing Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise looks hard to stop…
Runners-up: Argentina – A repeat final of four years ago? That’s the way the bracket unfolds (potentially…) The 2022 final was a cracker so there would be few complaints.
Semi-finalists: Spain, England – A high-class final four full of tournament winning nous (and England).
How far will England get?: Semi-finals – The Thomas Tuchel era will lead to another glorious failure at the semi-final stage. Predicting a path through the congested 48-team format is as difficult as it is futile at this stage and with Brazil looking likely at the quarter-final stage the road could come to an end – but I back England to see off Carlo Ancelotti’s side this time around before falling to Argentina.
Surprise package: Uzbekistan – Making their historic, first-ever appearance at a World Cup finals under the meticulous guidance of Italian legend Fabio Cannavaro, the “White Wolves” are perfectly configured to disrupt Group K. Built around a remarkably stubborn, rigid defence they could shock Colombia and DR Congo to engineer a brilliant fairytale run into the knockout phases.
Biggest flop: Netherlands – Ronald Koeman’s Oranje look to have identity issues and a lack of final-third creativity. Placed in a deceptively treacherous Group F alongside a highly organised Japan and a physical Sweden, the Dutch are primed for a shock, premature exit.
Golden Ball: Kylian Mbappé – If France capture the crown, their captain will likely be the undisputed catalyst. Free to roam from the left or drive centrally in Deschamps’ fluid setup, Mbappé’s terrifying acceleration, elite movement, and unmatched big-game execution will see him carry his country over the line in the knockout rounds. He scored a hat-trick in the final last time so…
Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappé – Expect him to feast on lower-ranked group-stage opponents before delivering critical, decisive strikes late in the tournament to take home another Golden Boot.
Golden Glove: Unai Simón – While France take the trophy, Spain’s suffocating, possession-oriented style of defence will shield Unai Simón exquisitely throughout the tournament. His elite shot-stopping in crucial knockout moments and immaculate distribution out from the back will earn him the highest clean-sheet percentage in the tournament.
Young Player Award: Lamine Yamal – Having already taken Europe by storm, the Barcelona sensation is poised to terrify full-backs across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Who will score the most, Messi or Ronaldo?: Lionel Messi – While Cristiano Ronaldo remains the absolute focal point of Portugal’s penalty-box threat, Lionel Scaloni’s entire setup with Argentina is tailor-made to maximise Messi’s talents. He has lit up the MLS for the last few years and could do so here one last time…
Blake Hurst
Winner: Portugal – Underrated defensively, world class in midfield, and with what could be Ronaldo’s final World Cup, the stars are aligning.
Runners-up: Spain – The tournament favourites for many, but I have them falling just short in the final.
Semi finalists: England, Germany – Both will come up short at the final hurdle, with England beating Germany in the third-place play-off.
How far will England get?: Semi finals – A solid tournament for Tuchel’s men built on structure, tactics and balance rather than relying solely on star power. Still not good enough, though.
Surprise package: Japan – A team built on discipline, organisation and relentless work ethic. I can see them causing a couple of major upsets.
Biggest flop: France – An early exit for one of the tournament favourites. A disjointed attack and an overhyped defence could see them disappoint.
Golden Ball: Bruno Fernandes – Coming off arguably his most productive season, he’ll be looking to lead Portugal’s charge with Vitinha and João Neves providing the platform behind him.
Golden Boot: Mikel Oyarzabal – Spain have a favourable group and should create plenty of chances. If they make the deep run I’m expecting, Oyarzabal is my dark-horse pick for the Golden Boot.
Golden Glove: Diogo Costa – If Portugal go all the way, their goalkeeper will be a huge reason why.
Young Player Award: Lamine Yamal – The biggest stage in football feels perfectly set for one of the world’s brightest young stars.
Who will score the most, Messi or Ronaldo?: Ronaldo – Portugal’s deeper run should give him more opportunities, and I have him edging out the reigning world champion.
Ben Miller
Winner: Spain – La Roja have won two titles and lost a final on penalties under Luis de la Fuente, whose side will not face vaunted opposition until at least the semi-finals if their path goes to form.
Runners-up: Argentina – Beneficiaries of a kind-looking draw, Argentina are only really missing Angel Di Maria from the side who won them the title, with the disclaimer that they have not faced even moderately testing opposition since the end of their dominant qualifying campaign.
Semi-finalists: Brazil, Germany – Serial winner Carlo Ancelotti can steer Brazil to the final four alongside a Germany side starting the tournament on a nine-match winning run, although Morocco await the Selecao and Ivory Coast will test Die Mannschaft in tough-looking group stage fixtures.
How far will England get?: Probably the quarter-finals – Top spot or third place in the group would lead to a last-eight exit against Brazil or Argentina, with second position in the group prefacing a defeat to Spain in the last 16.
Surprise package: Bosnia and Herzegovina – A slight cop-out because their group is far from intimidating, but Bosnia and Herzegovina’s mix of youth, experience and spirit proved hugely impressive against Italy and a run to at least the last 16 looks feasible if they win their section.
Biggest flop: Netherlands – Highly-ranked co-hosts Mexico and the USA do not inspire confidence but the team who might flop on form and quality are the seventh-ranked Netherlands, for whom no Oranje player scored in their recent home defeat to Algeria and draw with Ecuador.
Golden Ball: Lionel Messi – Fitness talk aside, Messi has won two of the last three Golden Ball awards, been in menacing form in the MLS and arrives with the incentive – not that he ever seems to need any – of shining at his last World Cup.
Golden Boot: Erling Haaland – Haaland’s average of two goals per qualifying match was absurd, intensifying the glee he will approach his first World Cup with after scoring 27 times to win the Premier League Golden Boot again.
Golden Glove: Unai Simon (or David Raya) – Four of the last five goalkeepers to raise the Golden Glove have also won the tournament, which makes David Raya or Unai Simon solid favourites under the logic of these solid-gold, nailed-on predictions.
Young Player Award: Yan Diomande – Only five players bettered Diomande’s combined 20 goals and assists in his debut season in the Bundesliga in 2025/26, and the 19-year-old also won 75 more duels than anyone else in the division, comfortably led the way in successful dribbles per match and recorded the fifth-highest speed.
Who will score the most, Messi or Ronaldo? Messi – although Uzbekistan resemble the kind of opponents Ronaldo relishes, Argentina are eyeing easier group-stage defences and their captain has scored in seven of his last nine World Cup matches, compared with four of the last 10 for CR7.
Nick McGee
Winner: Brazil – The Selecao have the ideal tournament manager in Carlo Ancelotti and the conditions should suit a well-balanced team perfectly.
Runners-up: Spain – Understandably the heavy favourites to lift the trophy, but I think Ancelotti’s nous makes the difference in the final against Luis de la Fuente’s side.
Semi-finalists: Argentina, Germany – Messi’s swansong ends with a painful defeat to their arch rivals, while a favourable group and draw allows Die Mannschaft to surprise.
How far will England get?: Quarter-finals – Thomas Tuchel is adept at getting far in tournaments, but there are defensive concerns and doubts around difference-makers off the bench that will become pertinent in the knockouts. I have them going out to Brazil.
Surprise package: Colombia – Another team that will be perfectly suited to the conditions and has firepower going forward in Luis Diaz and Luis Suarez.
Biggest flop: USA – Reality will hit the home fans hard. Starting a 38-year-old Tim Ream at centre-back is no recipe for success. They will struggle to get out of the group.
Golden Ball: Vinicius Junior – After thriving under Ancelotti at Real Madrid, look for Vinicius to do the same with his country and lead their charge to a sixth title.
Golden Boot: Julian Alvarez – While Messi is still the star, Alvarez stands as the more likely talisman for a team most will expect to go deep into the knockouts after a group stage in which they should reel off comfortable wins.
Golden Glove: Emi Martinez – A very favourable group should allow Argentina to rack up clean sheets, and Martinez is likely to be key to their run in the knockouts.
Young Player Award: Lamine Yamal – It’s the easy pick, but if Spain are to get to the final, they’ll need Yamal to dazzle. Even coming off an injury, he should eventually do so.
Who will score the most, Messi or Ronaldo?: Messi – Portugal often labour in the groups and I don’t expect them to go deep into the knockouts.
Cian Cheesebrough
Winner: England – After going close so many times, England have the perfect manager to take the final step – not to mention the best striker in the world. It’s time to believe.
Runners-up: Spain – It will be a repeat of the Euro 2024 final but this time England will be the ones celebrating at the end. It’s likely the Spanish will be the better team to watch at the tournament, though.
Semi-finalists: Argentina, Germany – Messi’s Argentina side aren’t what they once were but a favourable draw will see them make the semis, similar to Germany who I’m backing to shock France in the last 16.
How far will England get?: Winners – As mentioned, it’s coming home. Arise, Sir Thomas?
Surprise package: Ivory Coast – Everyone is looking at Ecuador in Group E, but I think Ivory Coast are the team to watch. The Elephants didn’t concede a goal in qualifying and have star quality in Yan Diomande, Amad Diallo and Simon Adingra.
Biggest flop: Norway – Many people’s dark horses, I don’t think Haaland is enough to inspire a deep run in the competition. There’s a reason why they’ve struggled to qualify for tournaments for so long and I think an early knockout exit is on the cards.
Golden Ball: John Stones – The experienced England defender will shrug off injury concerns and provide the platform for a glorious triumph.
Golden Boot: Harry Kane – If England are going to go the distance, they’ll need their main man firing and, unlike at Euro 2024, he looks to be at peak fitness heading into this tournament and another Golden Boot could be in the offing.
Golden Glove: Jordan Pickford – It may seem like overconfidence, but Pickford feels like a shoo-in if England win the tournament. The Everton stopper has been the hero for the Three Lions on more than one occasion and will undoubtedly have another big moment at this tournament.
Young Player Award: Lamine Yamal – The obvious choice, but for good reason. He’s still only 18 but already one of the best in the world and it feels a given if Spain are to make it to the final.
Who will score the most, Messi or Ronaldo?: Messi – I have no doubt Ronaldo will be on the pitch more due to the power he seems to have with Portugal, but I think they function better without him. Argentina will go deeper and that’s why I’m going with Messi.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: 101greatgoals.com
