The World Cup finals kick-off on Sunday in what promises to be an ultra-condensed festival of football surrounded by an inescapable bubble of controversy.
For all the morale issues that surround the biggest sporting tournament of them all being hosted in Qatar, there is no doubt it will be a unique tournament.
We have asked the six members of our sports-desk to come up with their predictions on what will happen over the 29 days, how Gareth Southgate’s England and Rob Page’s Wales will fare, and who they fancy for success.
NAME: Suzanne Geldard
EIGHT GROUP WINNERS: Holland, England, Argentina, France, Germany, Belgium, Brazil, Uruguay.
HOW WILL ENGLAND DO? After a dreadful run of results in the Nations League, with several key players struggling for form, I think quarter-finals would be par, and I don’t see them going beyond the last eight, given who they could face.
HOW WILL WALES DO? The England game could be one that decides the group winners, to be honest. I think Wales and England could both have sufficient points to progress at that point. Knockout stages would be deemed success for them, and on their day they are a threat, but last 16 might be the end of the road.
YOUR SURPRISE PACKAGE? Canada have a tough group but with Davies of Bayern and David of Lille they have some big talent in their squad.
TOP SCORER? Some very well priced outside bets, Martinez, Vlahovic, Embolo.
FAVOURITE WORLD CUP, AND WHY? Probably common, and not as many goals as most World Cups, but Italia 90 stirs the most nostalgia. World In Motion, Pavarotti, No Alla Violenza, superb strips, England defying the odds, Gazza’s tears, Ireland’s run to the quarters, Baggio v Czechoslovakia, Toto’s wild eyes, Cameroon, Colombia…glorious
NAME: Richard Sharpe
EIGHT GROUP WINNERS: Netherlands, England, Argentina, Denmark, Spain, Belgium, Brazil, Uruguay
HOW WILL ENGLAND DO? Expect calls for a more attacking approach as a workmanlike England top the group with a series of hard-fought wins. Would expect a smooth ride to the quarter finals with a win over a major nation in the last eight, potentially France, and then a semi-final exit.
HOW WILL WALES DO? Group B looks wide open, with USA ranked 16th in the world, Wales 19 and Iran 20. Expect them to be competitive, struggle for goals, but think a low points tally could get second, so every chance of getting out of the group.
YOUR SURPRISE PACKAGE? I can see Qatar beating Ecuador in the opening game. Beyond that, I think Denmark and Uruguay will take some scalps along the way.
TOP SCORER? Robert Lewandowski (Poland)
FAVOURITE WORLD CUP, AND WHY? From watching England beat Tunisia on a portable TV at primary school, to staying up late to see the heartbreak of the Argentina penalties loss and Beckham’s red card, not to mention the drama surrounding Ronaldo in the France-Brazil final, it’s 1998 in France for me.
NAME: David Pye
EIGHT GROUP WINNERS: Netherlands, England, Argentina, France, Germany, Belgium, Brazil, Portugal
HOW WILL ENGLAND DO? Will comfortably get out of the group and then depends on what path lies ahead. A Senegal without Sadio Mane possibly could be next and I think they can get to the last four after their experience in the last two tournaments.
HOW WILL WALES DO? Wales v USA should decide who progresses with England and a Gareth Bale-inspired Welsh side can achieve that aim. Their team spirit can carry them through but with so many lower-league players, I doubt they can reach the last eight.
YOUR SURPRISE PACKAGE? Switzerland – With experienced stars like Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri, the Swiss have had some notable results in recent times not least inflicting a rare home loss for Spain in September and also making the Nations League finals in 2019.
TOP SCORER? I think it could be the perfect end to a landmark year for Ballon D’or winner Karim Benzema with champions France tipped to go far again
FAVOURITE WORLD CUP, AND WHY? Espana ’82 – when commentators still sounded like they were a million miles away and the on-screen graphics had country names in Spanish. And who can forget that classic ‘Inglaterra’ kit and ‘This Time’ song?
NAME: Steve Tinniswood (Welsh!)
EIGHT GROUP WINNERS: (Country names only): Netherlands, England, Argentina, France, Germany, Belgium, Brazil, Portugal.
HOW WILL ENGLAND DO? Have a squad good enough to do well can’t see it happening. Have lost their way under Southgate. Hopes of the nation end in the quarter finals and the hurt goes on.
HOW WILL WALES DO? Bringing the feel-good factor to the World Cup but will massively miss the Red Wall and a fully fit Joe Allen. The adventure will go on into the knockout stages but, annoyingly, may need a result against England.
YOUR SURPRISE PACKAGE? Senegal with or without Sadio Mane. He will be a massive loss in early games but, if as suggested, he’s fit for latter stages could help the African champions upset the odds.
TOP SCORER? Lionel Messi or Kieffer Moore!
FAVOURITE WORLD CUP, AND WHY? Argentina 1978, the first I remember. The burst of colour, the tick-a-tape, France having to borrow a kit from a local side (look it up), Archie Gemmill’s wonder goal, Mario Kempes’ flowing locks and rolled downed socks, Robbie Rensenbrink (Johan Cruyff-lite). Blown away by it all!
NAME: Dan Barnes
EIGHT GROUP WINNERS: Netherlands, England, Argentina, France, Germany, Belgium, Brazil, Portugal
HOW WILL ENGLAND DO? There is plenty of negativity heading into the tournament but I don’t think it is fair. Southgate’s men restored hope in Russia and went one step further at the Euros, albeit with a favourable route to the latter stages. I see no reason why they can’t go far again.
HOW WILL WALES DO? Wales have the quality to make it out of the group stage and I wouldn’t be surprised if they cause an upset in the knockout rounds. They always seem to have a strong togetherness and Gareth Bale still has the quality to change the course of any game.
YOUR SURPRISE PACKAGE? I reckon Morocco could cause a few surprises this year. They have been handed a tough group, having to face Belgium, Croatia and Canada. However, Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech is unplayable on his day and last-minute replacement Anass Zaroury has set the Championship alight this season.
TOP SCORER: Kylian Mbappe
FAVOURITE WORLD CUP, AND WHY? As the youngest member of the sports desk, my pick is the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. From the crazy Jabulani ball to the Luis Suarez and Frank Lampard controversies, it had everything. Eventual winners Spain were a joy to watch with players like Andres Iniesta and David Villa.
NAME:Marc Iles
EIGHT GROUP WINNERS: Netherlands, England, Argentina, Denmark, Spain, Belgium, Brazil, Uruguay.
HOW WILL ENGLAND DO? Should have enough to win a straightforward group and, potentially, beat Senegal in the second round. After that I have my doubts. Quarter-finals at best.
HOW WILL WALES DO? Done brilliantly to get here and bound to push England hard but I can't see them emerging from the group. I think the USA will be too strong for them.
YOUR SURPRISE PACKAGE? They're ranked 14th in the world, so maybe not a stone cold shocker but Uruguay are my dark horses to reach the latter stages and knockout a couple of the fancied European nations.
TOP SCORER? Memphis Depay
FAVOURITE WORLD CUP, AND WHY? USA 94 - Free from jingoism and smack bang in the middle of my 'Italian football is brilliant' phase, this England-free tournament was mesmerising from the minute Diana Ross shanked the penalty while singing 'I'm Coming Out'.
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