WHO WILL WIN WORLD CUP?
. . . musicians have their say and Brazil are trending
-
DOHA. Finally, the World Cup is here.
After years of controversy, talking and preparing, Qatar 2022 got underway yesterday when the hosts faced Ecuador in the tournament opener.
Thirty-two teams are battling it out over 28 days for the ultimate prize, but who will be crowned champions?
BBC pundits, statisticians and readers have already had their say - now it’s time for some of the music industry’s finest to try their hand at football punditry.
SINGER OLLY MURS
Who will win the World Cup?
Brazil. They are a very strong squad. Full of top players, and who doesn’t love watching the mighty Brazil in a tournament? It’s always special.
Who will win the Golden Boot?
Kylian Mbappe for me. He is having a super season, already scoring 12 goals in 14 matches for Paris St-Germain. France do have a very easy group, and with the quality of players they have I see him scoring plenty, but also having a brilliant tournament. I’m excited to watch him.
Who will be the tournament’s surprise team? Senegal - especially after winning the Africa Cup of Nations recently. I feel they will be full of confidence and predict a great tournament for them.
What is your favourite World Cup moment? For me growing up, it was the special World Cup goal by Michael Owen at France 1998. What an incredible goal - it was just a shame we didn’t win the game. I picked that moment as it was my first World Cup that I was really into my football. I watched every game and loved every minute of it.
DJ JOEL CORRY AND SINGER TOM
GRENNAN
Who will win the World Cup?
Corry: I’m going to be fearless like a Lionheart and stick my neck on the line here... England all the way! The pain of last summer against Italy will only add to the hunger of our brave young lions. Semi-finals in 2018, final at Euro 2020 the natural next step is going all the way in Qatar. It’s Coming Home!
Grennan: I’ve previously said France, but looking at that Brazil squad I can’t actually see past them. Twenty years since their last win too, it could be their year.
Who will win the Golden Boot?
Corry: Harry Kane - he won the Golden Boot at Russia 2018 when England only reached the semis. Since then he’s been even more prolific for Tottenham and, at 29, is probably at his peak.
Not to mention his incredible goals tally (of 12) throughout qualifying - joint highest in Europe with Memphis Depay.
Who will be the surprise team?
Corry: Canada. They have some of Europe’s hottest young prospects - Jonathan David (from Lille) and Alphonso Davies (from Bayern Munich). They also have Cyle Larin who has scored more goals -13 - than any other player at Qatar during the qualifying stages, including Harry Kane. He only signed for Club Bruges in the summer and since then the club have reached the Champions League knockout stage for the first time ever.
Grennan: I fancy Senegal as the wildcard for this World Cup- they have some under-the-radar ballers.
MUSICIAN AND SONGWRITER MAULO
Who will win the World Cup?
I’d say England - bring it home lads. I chose England because of how close we came to winning the Euros. And I’m sure watching the ladies win the Euros will inspire them as well to want to do it. I believe they can.
Who will win the Golden Boot?
Probably Cristiano Ronaldo as this might be his last World Cup and we can see how much happier he is with the national team.
Who will be the surprise team of the tournament?
I’ll say Wales because no-one expected them to make it having missed out for a while.
What is your favourite World Cup moment?
Watching Ronaldo - R9 - do the stepover against the Ghanaian keeper and then scoring.
- BBC Sport.