Hayden Meikle
ODT sports editor
Who will win: Spain. That was my prediction at the start of the year and I will stick with it. It should be pointed out EA Sports, developers of the world’s most popular football game, have correctly tipped the past four winners, and their simulation this year has picked Spain.
Beaten finalists: England are a fair shout if Harry Kane scores a few.
Other contenders: France look terrifyingly deep, Portugal might go close, and you never want to ignore Argentina.
The All Whites: Hmm. I’d like to be as optimistic as I can, but it is not going to be easy. A 1-1 draw with Iran, a 2-0 loss to Egypt, a 3-0 loss to Belgium.
Player of the tournament: Lamine Yamal (Spain).
Golden boot: Harry Kane (England).
Kayla Hodge
ODT sports reporter
Who will win: France. You never forget losing a World Cup.
Beaten finalists: Spain. They will push France the whole way.
Other contenders: Germany, Portugal, Japan, England and you can never count out Argentina or Brazil.
The All Whites: Never going to be easy. Speaking to coach Darren Bazeley before the tournament, he was well aware of the challenges his side were up against. Iran are a real wild card considering everything going on, so hopefully a 2-0 victory against them first up. A 2-1 loss to Egypt and a 3-0 loss to Belgium to follow.
Player of the tournament: Kylian Mbappe (France).
Neville Watson
ODT football correspondent
Who will win: Portugal. The nearly men will finally deliver with Bruno Fernandes, the assist king, continuing his stellar club form to lift the World Cup, finally allowing CR7 to retire.
Beaten finalists: Germany — never discount the country who hold the record for making the actual final the most.
Other contenders: Colombia, France with Morocco as a dark horse. They say England only win a World Cup with a Labour government but leaving Harry Maguire at home means England will be leaving early.
The All Whites: With Iran in a bit of disarray — only being permitted to travel into the States on game day and with 15 support staff being denied visas — the All Whites will win 2-1. Second up will be a 3-1 loss to Egypt, and with Belgium already qualified and relaxed, we will sneak a 1-1 in the last game to make history and qualify out of the group.
Player of the tournament: Bruno Fernandes (Portugal).
Golden boot: Kylian Mbappe (France).
Sean Flaherty
ODT online editor
Who will win: France. Their forwards — both starting and on the bench — are terrifying, and the defence oozes class. The midfield can creak, but who needs a pretty midfield when you’re routinely scorching the turf with searing counter-attacks?
Beaten finalists: I hate to agree with Hayden Meikle, but England.
Other contenders: Japan will make the semis, Portugal if someone can lock Ronaldo in the changing room. The usual Catholic cartel: Spain, Brazil, Argentina.
The All Whites: The Haiti drubbing sadly shows they could get rinsed at any time, but expect them to grind out at least one gruelling draw.
Player of the tournament: Bruno Fernandes (Portugal).
Matthew Holdridge
Former Southern Football chairman
Who will win: France. They’ve got depth in every position and a core group of PSG players including attackers Barcola, Doue, Dembele — add Mbappe, who is due another big tournament after a disappointing season with Real Madrid.
Beaten finalists: England, unfortunately. We’recompetitive and will have to dig deep. At the final hurdle I’m just not sure we (the players and fans) believe enough, but how good would it be to win 60 years after their one and only World Cup triumph?
Other contenders: Brazil are always dangerous with enormous attacking depth. Spain have technical dominance and improving physicality. Germany historically rebound well after poor cycles. Portugal might go close, and you never want to ignore Argentina with Messi involved.
The All Whites: My next team after England, of course. A must-win against Iran and I’m going with 3-1 to the All Whites, Wood getting a brace. Egypt will be tough. The mighty Salah will score, but this is the upset game. New Zealand must stay compact and counter-attack with confidence. A 2-2 draw. Belgium will be a bridge too far, losing 2-0. A win and a draw gets them through, depending on other results.
Player of the tournament: Kylian Mbappe (France). Built for tournament football, a leader, a genius and brimming with confidence.
Golden boot: Harry Kane (England).
Dougal McGowan
Southern Football chief executive
Who will win: France. The hurt is still there from the last cup.
Beaten finalists: Portugal. They love the heat and love to keep the ball, so others will do a lot of running.
Other contenders: Argentina and Brazil. They have magicians in their teams that can pull things out of the hat in one instant.
The All Whites: A 2-0 win over Iran, a 0-0 draw with Egypt, a 4-0 loss to Belgium.
Player of the tournament: Tim Payne, haha.
Golden boot: Kylian Mbappe (France).
