Cal88 said:
Norway and Morocco are dark horse teams.
Brazil might be back again, usually do well in tournaments on the western hemisphere (except for that one big failure at home) and have solid coaching with Ancelotti.
Spain is the favorite, play well as a team, Yamal now top player in the world.
France among top favorites, but some gaps on midfield and potential leadership issues with Mbappe' and his prima donna tendencies being the captain. The game against a good Norway side in group play will be a bellwether as to how deep they will go in the bracket.
Argentina in the mix, reloading. Not sure about traditional powers Germany and Holland, because I haven't followed them closely lately. England has a decent team but a decades record of choking.
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How about our neighboring hosts?
Top Canadian player, Bayern's Alphonso Davies is out for their opener against Bosnia with a hamstring injury but expected to play in the 2nd or 3rd game against Qatar and Switzerland. Tight/evenly matched group.
Not sure about Mexico, maybe Sluggo can fill us in. They have Korea, S Africa and the Czechs in their group.
I admit that I don't watch qualifying because I have to go outside occasionally (to play soccer). With that being said:
1. This is the least talented Brazilian team I have ever seen unless Neymar can somehow turn back the clock. They were underachieving for some time even when they had better players. But they do have Vini Jr., one of the best players in the world, and a good keeper. Also the heat should favor South American and Asian teams rather than European teams.
2. The two teams no one talks about that I would watch out for are Germany and Japan. Germany is top 10 in talent, although their depth is not what it once was, and I still think Neuer is a great keeper, even at 40. Japan always plays tough and disciplined and go out in a heartbreaking way. Maybe this year will be different.
3. I think Morocco was fluky last time. Noway has Haaland and Odegaard but they don't have much (any?) history of success.
4. Spain is the favorite. If you have never seen Yamal play, you are in for a treat. He is only 18 but up there with Maradona, Messi and Christiano Ronaldo as the best players I have ever seen. I think they should move him to the middle so he can't be double teamed out of the game. They did unfortunately lose Fermin Lopes, a great attacking midfielder, and they don't have a great stirker. France is favorite for runner up. They lost Saliba, one of the world's best center backs, but if anyone can replace him, they can. They want an open game like PSG.
5. Argentina is running it back. Messi has been playing well in MLS. I don't know how that will translate. They always play with an edge.
6. Portugal is top 5 in talent. Forget Christiano, they are better if he does not play. England overlooked Cole Palmer, which is insane, but their German coach Tuchel should be an upgrade over anyone they have had in the past. These two teams are looking at the semifinals.
7. Mexico is okay. Raul Jimenez, their star striker, is back after not playing well for multiple years after suffering a serious concussion. He is surrounded by good players but no one else great, and they usually get knocked out early by a more talented team. Their keeper is 40 and was not that great when he was younger. They do have a lot of crowd support. Canada's Davies can't seem to stay healthy and their coach, Jesse Marsch, is weird. They are better than they have traditionally been but I don't expect much from them.
