Hector A. Ruiz

Let the fun begin!

I have absolutely no idea who is going to win this world cup.

I feel this is the first time in all World Cup history, that there isn’t a single favorite team above the rest. We do have a few strong teams that you would probably consider safe bets to win over the rest, but not by much though.

The sport has globalized so much, that I believe this World Cup will be filled with surprises and upsets. Maybe a small unknown and unheralded team may be even to make it to the late stages of the tournament, like the semifinals.

Anyway, below I will list my predictions for this world cup:

1. France is really strong, but not as strong as they were 2018. They arguably have the best forward line up in the tournament with Mbappe, Giroud and Griezman. They also have a strong defense. They have no midfield though (actually, there isn’t a single team with a strong midfield). I strongly believe that France can make it to the finals and even win the tournament, unless England knocks them out in the quarterfinals (if both of them end up meeting in the quarterfinals as group leaders).
2. To add on to the above, I don’t anticipate any team being able to stop Kylian Mbappe. He will wreck more havok than what he did in 2018. He may end up being the lead scorer of the tournament with at least seven goals or more, unless….
3. Neymar outscores him, which he may. Brazil has an easier group and an easier path towards the finals. If Neymar takes the lead early on and manages to score a couple of hat-tricks, he may actually be the tournament’s lead scorer with eight or more goals, unless…
4. Brazil chokes and get outsted in the R16 or QF. Simply put, Brazil isn’t what they used to be back in the 90s up until 2002. They lost their magic ever since and have never regained it. Neymar is no Ronaldinho, Rivaldo or Ronaldo. I wouldn’t be surprised if they get knocked out. However, I will say, that their team is well-balanced, and I believe they will make it to the finals against France, unless…
5. Argentina knocks Brazil out. If the two southamerican powers meet in the semifinals (both would have to qualify as group leaders), it would be a showdown for the ages, and let’s keep in mind that Argentina eliminated Brazil back in 1990, in a similar situation that could happen this year: Maradona was slighly past his prime, but still the best player in the world, similar to how Messi is slighly past his prime, but is still the best player in the world. Still, I don’t know why, I have this feeling that Brazil may prove too much for Argentina, and this time Neymar will pullthrough the semifinals and reach the finals against France, and will win the World Cup. Yes, Brazil is my main favorite to win the World Cup, conditioned to Neymay being able to lead them all the way. If he doesn’t, then…
6. Messi will win the world cup. Yes, I am calling it exactly as you read it. My main prediction is that France will make it to the finals against Brazil, if they are both able to overcome England and Argentina respectively, and Brazil will beat France. However, if Brazil losses to Argentina, then it will either be Argentina vs. France or Argentina vs. England. In either case, I find it hard to believe that Lionel Messi is going to play his last World Cup match -the actual World Cup Finals- and lose. I actually find that impossible to believe. If Argentina makes it to the final, regardless of who they will play, Argentina will finally win their third World Cup.
7. By the way, if this scenario happens, Messi will probably end up as lead scorer.
8. Surprises. The following teams will have a deep run into the tournament: Ecuador, Croatia, USA.
9. Upsets. Not quite an upset per se, but I don’t think the classic favorites -Spain, England, Germany, Portugal- have enough to make a threat to win the tournament. They may make it to the knockout stage, and once there they will lose to either France, Argentina, Brazil, themselves, or some other team. England is the only team who has a chance, but like I said earlier, that is only if they are able to move past France.
10. Cristiano Ronaldo: he is not going to do much. Maybe score a goal or two, but nothing spectacular.

Good luck!