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.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That gives us one last time to make some picks on which players will shine, what to expect, and yes \u2013 decide who we expect to lift the trophy this time around.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Doug McIntyre:<\/strong> I\u2019ve said it before, so I\u2019ll say it again: The U.S. men’s national team reaches the semifinals.\u00a0<\/p>\n I know. It\u2019s 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 \u2013 a win over African powerhouse Senegal and a narrow loss to Germany in a match the Americans flat-out dominated for long stretches \u2013 were their best performances under coach Mauricio Pochettino so far.\u00a0<\/p>\n 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,\u00a0they\u2019re capable of matching what countries like South Korea (2002), T\u00fcrkiye (2002), and Morocco (2022) have done at other World Cups this century.\u00a0<\/p>\n Laken Litman:<\/strong> On the flip side of Doug, I think the U.S. will be eliminated following the round of 16.\u00a0<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Luis Miguel Echegaray:<\/strong> Japan will earn a semifinal spot for the first time in their history.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Brian Sciaretta:\u00a0<\/strong>Canada goes to the quarterfinals.\u00a0<\/p>\n 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 Am\u00e9rica 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.<\/p>\n Can Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 lead France to a third straight final appearance? (Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n Forward \u00b7\u00a0France<\/p>\n Matteo Bonetti:<\/strong> Kylian Mbapp\u00e9. 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\u2019ll 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n Forward \u00b7\u00a0Spain<\/p>\n Echegaray: <\/strong>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\u2019t look back and will deliver everything we have all come to expect.\u00a0<\/p>\n McIntyre:\u00a0<\/strong>Lamine Yamal. Still only 18, he\u2019s arguably the best player in the world as it is. He\u2019s 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\u00a0Spain 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n Litman:<\/strong> 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\u2019ll see. Even so, whenever he returns to the pitch, there is no doubt that he\u2019ll light this summer\u2019s tournament on fire (as long as he doesn\u2019t experience any setbacks).<\/p>\n Forward \u00b7\u00a0Norway<\/p>\n Sciaretta<\/strong>: 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 \u00d8degaard, Alexander S\u00f8rloth, 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.<\/p>\n Harry Kane and England will be on a mission . (Photo by Rich Storry\/Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n Goalkeeper \u00b7\u00a0Spain<\/p>\n Sciaretta<\/strong>: Unai Sim\u00f3n. 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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Echegaray:<\/strong> Unai Sim\u00f3n. You have to be pretty special to keep David Raya out of goal. As Luis De La Fuente\u2019s first choice, he is magnificent in two categories: shot stopping and distribution. Spain\u2019s winnable group and a predicted deep run should make the Athletic Club stopper my front-runner for the award.<\/p>\n Litman:\u00a0<\/strong>Unai Sim\u00f3n. He\u2019s undeniable and playing for the best team in the tournament. He\u2019s not new to performing on the big stage, coming off masterclasses at both Nations League and the 2024 Euros. This is Spain\u2019s time, and he\u2019ll be a major reason why.<\/p>\n Goalkeeper \u00b7\u00a0France<\/p>\n Bonetti:<\/strong> 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\u2019t see “Magic Mike” conceding too much during the tournament.<\/p>\n McIntyre:<\/strong> 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\u00a0already\u00a0be the world\u2019s best keeper, and I look forward to seeing him prove it in front of a global audience this summer.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Sciaretta:<\/strong> 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?<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Echegaray:\u00a0<\/strong>Brazil’s quest for a sixth star. The five-time World Cup champions have been underwhelming in recent years, including qualifiers, but there\u2019s something about manager Carlo Ancelotti that\u2019s beginning to turn me into a believer. Can Brazil end its 24-year drought and win a sixth title? I\u2019ll be there on Saturday for its group-stage opener against Morocco. Excited to see how this team begins its tournament against a strong opponent.\u00a0<\/p>\n It’s nearly been a quarter-century since Brazil won it all. (Photo by Michael Steele\/Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n Midfielder \u00b7\u00a0Mexico<\/p>\n Echegaray:\u00a0<\/strong>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.\u00a0<\/p>\n Forward \u00b7\u00a0Ivory Coast<\/p>\n Bonetti:<\/strong> Ivory Coast’s Yan Diomande. While Yulee, Florida, isn\u2019t exactly a hotbed for soccer talent, it\u2019s where the Ivorian-born 19-year-old winger started his footballing journey. He\u2019s since then moved across the pond to the Bundesliga, where he\u2019s had a breakout season at RB Leipzig. With 13 goals and 10 assists in all competitions, he had an impressive campaign. He\u2019ll be a player that a lot of fans learn about very quickly.<\/p>\n Midfielder \u00b7\u00a0Canada<\/p>\n McIntyre:<\/strong> Canada’s Isma\u00ebl Kon\u00e9. As the team’s best player not named Alphonso Davies or Jonathan David,\u00a0Kon\u00e9 is quietly coming off a terrific season for Sassuolo in Italy\u2019s Serie A. If Canada is to win its first World Cup game ever this summer and then qualify for the knockout stage \u2013 coach Jesse Marsch\u2019s stated goal \u2013 expect the Ivory Coast-born, Montreal-raised\u00a0Kon\u00e9 to play a central role.\u00a0<\/p>\n Midfielder \u00b7\u00a0Morocco<\/p>\n Sciaretta:<\/strong> 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\u2019s midfield for years to come.\u00a0<\/p>\n Midfielder \u00b7\u00a0United States<\/p>\n Litman:<\/strong> USA’s Sebastian Berhalter. We don\u2019t know whether he\u2019ll 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\u2019s got that grit and passion Pochettino looks for, and he\u2019s excellent when it comes to set pieces. He\u2019ll almost certainly be in position to give the U.S. an edge with his delivery at some very important moment during this tournament.<\/p>\n Colombia’s Luis Diaz will have big hopes and big crowds. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA \/ AFP via Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n Echegaray:<\/strong> 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\u2026[don\u2019t say it, LME]\u2026without a doubt [stop it right now]\u2026.coming home.\u00a0<\/p>\n I\u2019ll get my coat.\u00a0<\/p>\n Bonetti:\u00a0<\/strong>I will counter that naivety about England bringing it home with a more realistic scenario \u2013 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\u2019ll never say “Allez Les Bleus”, but I\u2019ll happily pat myself on the back when it’s all said and done.<\/p>\n McIntyre:<\/strong> As much as I\u2019d love to see a new country like Portugal win it all \u2013 and they could \u2013 for the first time, Spain and France are the best two teams in the competition for me by some distance.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0A repeat title for Lionel Messi? (Photo by Todd Kirkland\/Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" POPULAR SEARCHES BROWSE BY 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":4524,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4525","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-soccer"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4525","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4525"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4525\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4524"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4525"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4525"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/play-live.eu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4525"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}