We all remember, nearly four years ago, when Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup trophy high into the sky in Qatar. A crowning moment for one of the game’s legends.
Now it’s time once again to clear the calendars. We’re in store for 39 days of drama as the World Cup begins across three countries and culminates with the final on July 19.
That gives us one last time to make some picks on which players will shine, what to expect, and yes – decide who we expect to lift the trophy this time around.
Doug McIntyre: I’ve said it before, so I’ll say it again: The U.S. men’s national team reaches the semifinals.
I know. It’s a longshot. But there is something special about playing on home soil, and for all the handwringing about how the World Cup co-hosts were outclassed by Belgium and Portugal in March, their last two pre-tourney tune-ups – a win over African powerhouse Senegal and a narrow loss to Germany in a match the Americans flat-out dominated for long stretches – were their best performances under coach Mauricio Pochettino so far.
Something is brewing here. Add in the favorable draw they got as a seed and the power of the public behind them, and I think, with a little luck, they’re capable of matching what countries like South Korea (2002), Türkiye (2002), and Morocco (2022) have done at other World Cups this century.
Laken Litman: On the flip side of Doug, I think the U.S. will be eliminated following the round of 16.
This team so badly wants to advance further than it ever has before, but there are too many glaring issues, starting with the back line and inexperience in goal, so it seems hard to comprehend that the Americans get much further than they did four years ago.
Luis Miguel Echegaray: Japan will earn a semifinal spot for the first time in their history.
This team has never gone further than the round of 16, but its trajectory continues to rise, and I have been waxing lyrical about Hajime Moriyasu’s side for a long time. Japan is a cohesive, technically gifted unit, unafraid of anyone. I think at this World Cup, Samurai Blue will create havoc in a group they can most definitely top.
Brian Sciaretta: Canada goes to the quarterfinals.
The 2022 World Cup was disappointing for Canada, but the team has been steadily improving under American manager Jesse Marsch. The semifinal run in the 2024 Copa América was an important sign of progress for this team. Even with star forward Alphonso Davies questionable at the start of the tournament, Canada still has enough talent to win games. On top of a team that plays hard under Marsch, Canada could benefit from playing on home soil as one of the tournament’s co-hosts.
Can Kylian Mbappé lead France to a third straight final appearance? (Getty Images)
Forward · France
Matteo Bonetti: Kylian Mbappé. He was electrifying in the 2022 World Cup and was so close to tasting glory. This time around, he leads a France team that is a tournament favorite along with Spain. He’ll be looking to turn the page after a tumultuous campaign with Real Madrid that was marred by intense scrutiny over the lack of major trophies. Still, he scored 42 goals in 44 games with his club side. Not bad.
Forward · Spain
Echegaray: Lamine Yamal. If we are to believe Spain manager Luis de la Fuente, the 18-year-old phenom from Barcelona should be fit enough to see minutes in the opener against Cape Verde after recovering from a hamstring injury. And I think once he enters the pitch, he won’t look back and will deliver everything we have all come to expect.
McIntyre: Lamine Yamal. Still only 18, he’s arguably the best player in the world as it is. He’s also expected to be healthy by the time Spain kicks off their World Cup campaign against Cape Verde in Atlanta on June 15. We saw his ability to rise to the occasion in a major tournament at 16; that spectacular goal in the Euro 2024 semis was the difference between Spain and France, putting the team on course to defeat England in the final. Now he gets to perform on the biggest stage for the first time. Barring an injury setback, he has the ability and mentality to make an even bigger impact this summer.
Litman: Lamine Yamal. De la Fuente has said that the 18-year-old superstar will be ready for their opener vs. Cape Verde on June 15, but we’ll see. Even so, whenever he returns to the pitch, there is no doubt that he’ll light this summer’s tournament on fire (as long as he doesn’t experience any setbacks).
Forward · Norway
Sciaretta: Erling Haaland. At long last, Haaland will get to play in a major international tournament with Norway. It is hard to see anyone at the World Cup more motivated than him. Haaland has been one of the best forwards of his generation but to win a Golden Boot or Golden Ball, a player needs to go far. Fortunately, Norway has a solid supporting cast that includes Martin Ødegaard, Alexander Sørloth, and Antonio Nusa. A full-strength Norwegian team can go far and Haaland has all the ability to thrive this summer. The biggest concern, however, is the heat.
Harry Kane and England will be on a mission . (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
Goalkeeper · Spain
Sciaretta: Unai Simón. Spain should feel confident heading into this tournament as the team has quality options in every position, including in goal where Unai Simon has been stellar in recent years, winning the UEFA Nations League in 2022/23 and Euro 2024 where he turned in first-rate performances. He has just too much momentum to not be the favorite.
Echegaray: Unai Simón. You have to be pretty special to keep David Raya out of goal. As Luis De La Fuente’s first choice, he is magnificent in two categories: shot stopping and distribution. Spain’s winnable group and a predicted deep run should make the Athletic Club stopper my front-runner for the award.
Litman: Unai Simón. He’s undeniable and playing for the best team in the tournament. He’s not new to performing on the big stage, coming off masterclasses at both Nations League and the 2024 Euros. This is Spain’s time, and he’ll be a major reason why.
Goalkeeper · France
Bonetti: Mike Maignan. One of the best keepers in the world, the France No. 1 is up there with Germany legend Manuel Neuer as the best in his position with the ball at his feet. He also has world-class reflexes and elite athleticism in goal. Add to that an imposing French defensive wall in front of him, and I can’t see “Magic Mike” conceding too much during the tournament.
McIntyre: Mike Maignan. Again, individual awards tend to go to players on teams that make deep runs, and after reaching consecutive finals at the last two World Cups, most expect France to reach at least the semis this time around. That will be in no small part due to the AC Milan man if it happens. As stellar a career as former keeper Hugo Lloris was, Maignan is an upgrade. He might already be the world’s best keeper, and I look forward to seeing him prove it in front of a global audience this summer.
Sciaretta: American public enthusiasm. When the United States was announced as one of the co-hosts of the tournament and the country where most games would be played, there was talk about whether this would take the sport to the next level in the USA. The 1994 edition was a big success, and it was the first exposure to the support for many in the country. But now there have been at least two generations who have grown up with the sport in the mainstream. How will the country this time embrace the tournament? How will they embrace the U.S. team? Will this tournament lay the foundation for continued growth? Will more kids be inspired to play? Will the public watch the game not as a novelty but with more technical sophistication?
Echegaray: Brazil’s quest for a sixth star. The five-time World Cup champions have been underwhelming in recent years, including qualifiers, but there’s something about manager Carlo Ancelotti that’s beginning to turn me into a believer. Can Brazil end its 24-year drought and win a sixth title? I’ll be there on Saturday for its group-stage opener against Morocco. Excited to see how this team begins its tournament against a strong opponent.
It’s nearly been a quarter-century since Brazil won it all. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Midfielder · Mexico
Echegaray: Mexico’s Gilberto Mora. The 17-year-old Mexican teenager will make history when/if he enters the pitch against South Africa and will become the youngest member of El Tri to ever feature at a World Cup. But he is more than appearance records. Mora, reportedly wanted by major European clubs such as Real Madrid, could be the game changer Mexico desperately needs in order to break the curse of the ‘quinto partido.’ He is recuperating from a hamstring injury, so hopefully he will be 100% to go.
Forward · Ivory Coast
Bonetti: Ivory Coast’s Yan Diomande. While Yulee, Florida, isn’t exactly a hotbed for soccer talent, it’s where the Ivorian-born 19-year-old winger started his footballing journey. He’s since then moved across the pond to the Bundesliga, where he’s had a breakout season at RB Leipzig. With 13 goals and 10 assists in all competitions, he had an impressive campaign. He’ll be a player that a lot of fans learn about very quickly.
Midfielder · Canada
McIntyre: Canada’s Ismaël Koné. As the team’s best player not named Alphonso Davies or Jonathan David, Koné is quietly coming off a terrific season for Sassuolo in Italy’s Serie A. If Canada is to win its first World Cup game ever this summer and then qualify for the knockout stage – coach Jesse Marsch’s stated goal – expect the Ivory Coast-born, Montreal-raised Koné to play a central role.
Midfielder · Morocco
Sciaretta: Morocco’s Ayyoub Bouaddi. The 18-year-old holding midfielder is one of the most talented teenagers at this World Cup. Born in France, Bouaddi previously represented French youth teams but made the switch to represent Morocco just last month. Already he has featured recently in key World Cup tune-ups and looks as if he could start or at least play a lot in the group stage games. Bouaddi has had a meteoric rise at club level with Lille, playing first-team games since he was 16 and starting in a win over Real Madrid in the Champions League on his 17th birthday. It is only a matter of time before he is playing for an elite club and Bouaddi is going to be a key part of Morocco’s midfield for years to come.
Midfielder · United States
Litman: USA’s Sebastian Berhalter. We don’t know whether he’ll be starting for the U.S. yet, but we do know that manager Mauricio Pochettino loves the midfielder and what he brings to this team. He’s got that grit and passion Pochettino looks for, and he’s excellent when it comes to set pieces. He’ll almost certainly be in position to give the U.S. an edge with his delivery at some very important moment during this tournament.
Colombia’s Luis Diaz will have big hopes and big crowds. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP via Getty Images)
Echegaray: I am going to echo the Euros from 2024 and naively predict that England will make the final against Spain. But on this occasion, I am going to act even more foolishly and proclaim that it is indeed…[don’t say it, LME]…without a doubt [stop it right now]….coming home.
I’ll get my coat.
Bonetti: I will counter that naivety about England bringing it home with a more realistic scenario – France is getting it done. They have a bitter taste from the 2022 final in Qatar. The squad is stacked across the board. The attacking talent is outrageous. As an Italian I’ll never say “Allez Les Bleus”, but I’ll happily pat myself on the back when it’s all said and done.
McIntyre: As much as I’d love to see a new country like Portugal win it all – and they could – for the first time, Spain and France are the best two teams in the competition for me by some distance.
A repeat title for Lionel Messi? (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
