The World Cup is here!

A whole month of non-stop footballing action as the 48 team tournament kicks-off this week in the US, Mexico and Canada. With the start of the tournament the culmination of the build-up and chatter beforehand (both good and bad), it’s a chance for football to take centre stage, and we’re expecting a big tournament with plenty of drama.

As a result, we’ve gone through out predictions for the tournament across the following categories: Winners, finalists, top scorer, player of the tournament, underachievers, overachievers, England’s exit and some notable madness that could take place.

Let us know your predictions for each category over on our social media platforms, and keep checking back with us over the next month as we go through all the action from the tournament.

Winners: Portugal

While it may against the bookies favourites, I can see Portugal surprising many to go all the way in this tournament, as Ronaldo matches up his foes victory of 2022 by signing off his career with a World Cup win, possibly calling time on his career as a result (more on that later). I believe Portugal are not perfect, but have key players in the right positions at the top of their game, and have the star power on the bench to make a difference. I think in recent tournaments the focus on Ronaldo has been too heavy, and now the squad look more capable of managing alongside the star man, rather than trying to serve his needs. As a result, I predict them topping their group before a tough knockout sees them overcome Croatia, Senegal, Argentina, Brazil and then finalists France to sign off a huge run that takes them to immortality.

Finalists: France

Coming up against Portugal in the final could be France who still remain one of the heavy favourites due to their immense squad depth and experience of this tournament in recent years, with their 2018 success and unfortunate loss in the final in 2022. They should put on a good showing for the final time under Deschamps with their key players at the peak of their powers, and I predict they’ll top a tough group before clashes with Japan, Germany, Morocco and Spain before they are eventually beaten in the aforementioned final to leave Portugal the unexpected but deserved victors.

Top Scorer: Julian Alvarez

While I have Argentina exiting in the quarter-finals, I think Julian Alvarez will see his stock rise further amid speculation of his future by claiming the Golden Boot. While Messi will continue to take the headlines for Argentina, I believe a relatively kind group stage against Algeria, Austria and Jordan could see some huge group stage wins for Argentina and Alvarez could fill his boots with possibly a hat-trick in one of these games to put him heavy in the running for the award.

Player Of The Tournament: Vitinha

With my prediction of Portugal winning the tournament, I think it will be Vitinha who adds to his successive Champions League titles to add the World Cup and also the player of the tournament, as I believe his experience and ability to control a game will work brilliantly alongside teammate Neves and no.10 Fernandes to create an unstoppable midfield and give Portugal a huge advantage in key moments, and this recognition will be certainly deserved for a player at the top of his game.

Underachievers: Germany

With our predictions for the tournament seeing a round of 32 tie victory over Scotland before a tough last 16 clash with France, I believe Germany could come undone early in the knockout rounds due to a tough draw. While this might not be argued as underachieving, I believe in comparison to the other elite European sides, Germany could be seen as the team who underwhelm and stumble possibly in quite embarrassing fashion in the predicted clash with France.

Overachievers: Norway

While Norway were unstoppable at times in qualifying, I think they will show up once again in the tournament and reach the last 16 before a clash with Brazil sees them exit with their heads held high. I can predict their big hitters all putting on a show in the tournament and they could put together some huge results in a tough group but one they will progress through into the knockout rounds.

England’s Exit: Quarter Finals

Our predictor saw England top the group as many would expect, before beating DR Congo in the last 32, and overcoming Mexico in the last 16 before a clash with Brazil which could arguably go either way, but England may well exit at this stage. While the quarter finals feels like a par performance, it will leave many questioning Tuchel and his long term future, and perhaps this crop of players needing another shift ahead of the Euros in 2 years time as they are beaten by the South American side.

Notable Madness: Politics & Ronaldo

It’s a World Cup based around the US and so politics will take centre stage constantly throughout the tournament, however our prediction is that we will see Donald Trump take an embarrassing penalty during some media appearance. The President will certainly make his presence felt, and could create a memorable moment as he embarrasses himself with a spot-kick that shows he truly knows nothing about the sport while being given unbelievable control over the tournament.

In another notably mad prediction, I believe Portugal winning the World Cup will mark Ronaldo’s retirement from the sport. While there’ no mention of this leading into the tournament, and of course the unbelievable wealth being made in Saudi, I think he will want to mark his legacy with the trophy and will be aware of leaving on a high. While a life of corporate work and cashing in will await on the other side of his playing career, I think a surprise announcement following Portugal’s success could mark the end of a brilliant playing career.

Don’t forget to share your predictions with us on social media, and keep checking back with us throughout the tournament as we keep a track on all the biggest moments and action this summer.