Brave Predictions For The World Cup: Strong Players, Stories And Who Will Take The Cup

We all remember the moment almost four years ago when Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup in Qatar. A crowning moment for one of the game's legends. It's time to clear our schedules again. We're in for 39 days of drama as the World Championship kicks off in three countries, with the final on July 19. This gives us one last chance to make predictions about which players will star, what we can expect and yes – decide who we expect to see lift the trophy this time.

**Q: What is a bold prediction for the World Cup?** **USA Reaches Semi-Finals** Doug McIntyre: I've said it before and I'll say it again: the US National Team reaches the semifinals. I know, it's a long road. But there is something special about playing on home soil, and for all the doubts about how the co-hosts were outclassed by Belgium and Portugal in March, their last two pre-season games - a win over African powerhouse Senegal and a narrow defeat to Germany in a match in which the Americans had long dominated - were their best performances yet under coach Mauricio Pochettino. Something is brewing. Add to that the favorable draw as a seeded team and the support from the crowd and I think that, with a bit of luck, they will be able to perform as the likes of South Korea (2002), Turkey (2002) and Morocco (2022) have done in other World Cups this century.

**Early Elimination For USA** Laken Litman: On the other hand, I think the US will be eliminated after the round of 16. This team desperately wants to go further than ever before, but there are too many obvious problems, starting with defense and inexperience in goal, making it difficult to see the Americans getting much further than they did four years ago.

**Japan Makes a Deep Run** Luis Miguel Echegaray: Japan will clinch a place in the semi-finals for the first time in history. This team has never made it past the round of 16, but the trend continues to rise, and I've spoken highly of Hajime Moriyasu's team for a long time. Japan is a cohesive, technically gifted unit, not afraid of anyone. I think the Samurai Blue can do a lot of damage this World Cup in a group they can absolutely dominate.

**Oh, Canada!** Brian Sciaretta: Canada reaches the quarterfinals. The 2022 World Cup was disappointing for Canada, but the team has steadily improved under American coach Jesse Marsch. The semi-final run in the 2024 Copa América was a major sign of progress for this team. Even with star player Alphonso Davies questionable early in the tournament, Canada still has enough talent to win games. Additionally, the team can benefit from playing on home soil as one of the co-hosts.

**Q: Who is your choice for the Golden Ball (Most Outstanding Player)?** **Can Kylian Mbappé lead France to a third final?** Kylian Mbappe: Matteo Bonetti: Kylian Mbappe. He was at his best in the 2022 World Cup and was so close to tasting the glory. This time he leads a France that has a favorite role together with Spain. He will look to turn the page after a tumultuous campaign at Real Madrid that was marked by intense scrutiny over the lack of major trophies. Despite this, he scored 42 goals in 44 games with his club. Not bad.

**Lamine Yamal:** Echegaray: Lamine Yamal. If Spain's coach Luis de la Fuente is to be believed, the 18-year-old Barcelona phenomenon should be fit enough to see minutes in the opener against Cape Verde after recovering from a hamstring injury. I think once he steps on the field he won't look back and will give everything we expect from him.

**Erling Haaland:** Sciaretta: Erling Haaland. Finally, Haaland can participate in a major international tournament with Norway. It's hard to see who will be more motivated at the World Cup than him. Haaland is one of the best strikers of his generation, but to win a Golden Boot or Golden Ball, a player has to go far. Fortunately, Norway has a solid support base with players such as Martin Ødegaard, Alexander Sørloth and Antonio Nusa. A complete Norwegian team can go far and Haaland has every opportunity to shine this summer.

**Q: Who is your choice for the Golden Glove (Best Goalkeeper)?** **Unai Simón is one of the best goalkeepers in the world.** Sciaretta: Unai Simon. Spain should feel confident going into this tournament as the team has quality in every position, including in goal where Unai Simón has been brilliant in recent years, winning the UEFA Nations League in 2022/23 and Euro 2024 where he has put in first-class performances. He just has too much momentum not to be the favorite.

**Q: What's a story to watch during the World Cup?** **U.S. Crowd Enthusiasm:** Sciaretta: When the United States was announced as one of the tournament's co-hosts, there was a lot of talk about whether this would take the sport to the next level in the US. The 1994 edition was a great success, and it was the first taste of support for many in the country. But now there are at least two generations that grew up with the sport in the mainstream. How will the country embrace the tournament this time? How will it embrace the US team? Will this tournament lay the foundation for continued growth? Will more children be inspired to play? Will people view the competition not as a novelty, but with more technical sophistication?

**Brazil Wants to Break Drought:** Echegaray: Brazil's Search for the Sixth Star. The five-time world champion has disappointed in recent years, including in qualifying, but there is something about coach Carlo Ancelotti that makes me more and more of a believer. Can Brazil end its 24-year drought and win a sixth title? I will be there on Saturday for the opening match in the group stage against Morocco. I'm curious to see how this team starts the tournament against a strong opponent.

**Last Dance For Legends:** Bonetti: Aging Legends. The most recognizable players at this World Cup are Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar. All three are in the twilight of their careers. Will they perform? Messi seems most capable of helping Argentina win. There is debate in Portugal about whether Ronaldo should start at all. Meanwhile, Neymar is injured and not expected to play more than a rotation role.