Which two teams will reach the final \u2013 and who will win?<\/p>\n
Spain and Portugal in the final, with Spain winning. I\u2019ve played our Bracketology game<\/a> 20 times and gotten 20 different paths but Spain always end up winning. Alexander Abnos<\/p>\n My latest tilt at the Guardian\u2019s addictive Bracketology tool has thrown up a France versus Argentina rematch. Rather than roll the dice again. I\u2019ll go with France to win. Nick Ames<\/p>\n The future that the 2007 photograph<\/a> manifested: Lamine Yamal and Spain versus Lionel Messi and Argentina. It\u2019s a toss-up; at the time of writing my coin lands for Spain. Ella Brockway<\/p>\n France beat Portugal in the final. Ben Fisher<\/p>\n England to beat France. They are deep and talented, have a manager whose strengths translate well to knockout football, at least appear to be prepared for the conditions<\/a> and, crucially, possess the institutional experience that comes from runs to the quarter-finals and beyond at the last four major tournaments. Bryan Armen Graham<\/p>\n Spain will meet France in the final and the French will prevail. Maybe. Barry Glendenning<\/p>\n Lamine Yamal scores Spain\u2019s first goal during the Euro 2024 semi-final against France in Munich. Photograph: Christina Pahnke\/Getty Images<\/p>\n France to beat Argentina. Didier Deschamps has the attacking talent to make the difference when it matters the most. David Hytner<\/p>\n In my Guardian Bracketology draft I have England meeting Spain, with Spain the victors. This expresses a sudden rush of optimism about England despite several months of poor form and a belief that Spain\u2019s squad is more rounded than France\u2019s. I feel Spain\u2019s technical ability and clear identity would be decisive in a final. Paul MacInnes<\/p>\n A repeat scenario: France and Argentina, but with a different outcome. France to take the trophy. Ewan Murray<\/p>\n France have the strength in depth to win a third title. As for the team that will play them? It could be Argentina once again. Osasu Obayiuwana<\/p>\n Spain and Portugal, with Spain elevating the rivalry even further with a famous win over the first-time finalist. Jeff Rueter<\/p>\n When I plotted it out a few weeks ago I had France beating Argentina \u2013 but since then more knowledgeable people say Argentina aren\u2019t any good. So Spain. Or France. Or, no I won\u2019t say it \u2026 could we? Max Rushden<\/p>\n I ran a whole simulation like the pro I\u2019ve never been accused of being and landed on France and Argentina. And France win. They have more talent and experience than anyone. Leander Schaerlaeckens<\/p>\n The conditions might suit Argentina but I think they\u2019ll lose to Spain in the final \u2013 assuming that Luis de la Fuente\u2019s wingers are on form. Jacob Steinberg<\/p>\n France to beat Spain in the final. Spain are European champions but injuries and fatigue may hamper them, while France have the strength in depth to overcome the disadvantage of an overly cautious coach. Jonathan Wilson<\/p>\n Who will win the Golden Boot?<\/p>\n Mikel Oyarzabal. The Spain forward has the chance to rack up goals against Cape Verde in the group stage and will presumably be playing deep into the tournament, even if they don\u2019t make the final as I predicted. AA<\/p>\n Even if he may not lift the trophy, Harry Kane is in irrepressible nick and could get enough joy in England\u2019s first four games to rack up a decisive lead. Outside shout: Japan\u2019s Ayase Ueda, the free-scoring spearhead of a side that should go very well. NA<\/p>\n Kane will take England to a semi-final against Argentina, and then a goal in the third-place game will push him past Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 for top scorer. EB<\/p>\n Kane could fill his boots. BF<\/p>\n Mbapp\u00e9. No player has ever won the Golden Boot twice, but football\u2019s most devastating transition player is a smart bet to become the first. Few players in this year\u2019s tournament combine his finishing quality with the likelihood of playing seven or eight matches. BAG<\/p>\n Spain\u2019s Mikel Oyarzabal could fill his boots against Cape Verde in the group stage and score enough off the bench in subsequent matches to take home this prize. BG<\/p>\n Mbapp\u00e9. DH<\/p>\n France\u2019s Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 takes on C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire\u2019s Wilfried Singo during their friendly meeting in Nantes this month. Photograph: Lo\u00efc Venance\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Kane. He is so reliable and England\u2019s opening fixtures are not too demanding he could build up a decent total by the last 16. PM<\/p>\n Mbapp\u00e9. EM<\/p>\n Could well come from a country that does not go far in the tournament, like Norway\u2019s Erling Haaland. Gary Lineker won the Golden Boot at Mexico 1986 despite England not going beyond the quarter-finals. OO<\/p>\n In an era with worryingly few elite forwards, Kane cements his legacy, and his case for the Ballon d\u2019Or. JR<\/p>\n I can\u2019t jinx Harry Kane so I\u2019ll say Brian Brobbey, because I like saying it. MR<\/p>\n Mbapp\u00e9. Even in a troubled season, he scored 49 goals. A World Cup<\/a> where play will slow down in the heat and exhaustion also plays right into his hands on the counterattack. LS<\/p>\n Kane is finally going into a tournament in top condition. JS<\/p>\n Mbapp\u00e9: France will go deep and he will be their prime attacking spearhead and penalty taker. He already has 12 World Cup goals and could take Miroslav Klose\u2019s all-time record. JW<\/p>\n Who will be the surprise team of the tournament?<\/p>\n Ecuador. The South Americans let in a ridiculous five goals through 18 games of qualifying and will enjoy strong support. I have them making the semi-finals. AA<\/p>\n Ecuador fit the bill with a world-class defence, an outstanding midfield general in Mois\u00e9s Caicedo and an ability to claw a foothold in virtually any game. Their path to the quarter-finals looks tough but nobody will relish facing a side that gives barely anything away. NA<\/p>\n Solid defences go a long way in tournament play and Ecuador<\/a> have one. In 13 matches this year and last, they have conceded just six goals. That defensive foundation should make up for their lack of goalscoring and help them to at least the last 16. EB<\/p>\n Norway breezed through qualifying to reach their first World Cup since 1998, winning all eight matches and scoring 37 goals, Erling Haaland bagging 16 of them. They are stacked with talent going forward. I like Japan, too, even if they may qualify from Group F in third. BF<\/p>\n Senegal. They are difficult to break down and boast enough pace and creativity on the counterattack to trouble any opponent \u2013 and they\u2019ll be on a revenge tour after the Afcon fiasco<\/a>. BAG<\/p>\n Ecuador finished second to Argentina in South American qualifying and could raise a few eyebrows. They look a little light up front but have a superb defence, an excellent midfield and will be largely unperturbed by the conditions. BG<\/p>\n Brazil\u2019s Vin\u00edcius J\u00fanior challenges Mois\u00e9s Caicedo of Ecuador during a World Cup qualifier in Curitiba. Photograph: Eurasia Sport Images\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Japan have a horrible group but they make things horrible for their opponents with the way they hunt in packs. The question, as usual, will be whether they can score enough goals. Hajime Moriyasu\u2019s expansive 3-4-2-1 provides the platform. DH<\/p>\n The promising teams outside the usual suspects all seem to be heading for the same quarter of the draw: Ecuador, Norway and Japan have good qualifying records, decent squads and a clear identity. They could all end up knocking each other out though. PM<\/p>\n Japan is a country of more than 120 million people but it has never been beyond the last 16 of the World Cup. They will do so this time. EM<\/p>\n Cape Verde. The Island country of 500,000 people may be making their debut at the World Cup, and do not have any superstars, but they are well-drilled and will not be anyone\u2019s cannon fodder. Underestimate them at your peril. OO<\/p>\n A popular pick as 2022\u2019s dark horse, Ecuador now have far more experience. Few teams can match a first-choice defense boasting Willian Pacho, Piero Hincapi\u00e9, Joel Ord\u00f3\u00f1ez and Pervis Estupi\u00f1\u00e1n, and they\u2019ve got the industry of Caicedo to keep them from being overworked. JR<\/p>\n Someone in the previews suggested Scotland\u2019s midfield could give Brazil a game. MR<\/p>\n Norway. Been away since 1998 and, I think, could win a knockout game or two. LS<\/p>\n Ecuador have defenders who played in the Champions League, a midfield marshalled by Caicedo and are unbeaten in 18 games. They look awkward and might fancy themselves in these conditions. JS<\/p>\n Japan will be without Kaoru Mitoma, but even without him and a couple of other injury doubts, they swept through qualifying. Might be the best Asian side in history. JW<\/p>\n Who will be breakthrough player of the tournament?<\/p>\n Gilberto Mora, Mexico. The 17-year-old plays with a maturity beyond his years and a creativity that\u2019s a joy to watch. He seems primed for a scene-stealing moment or two for the co-hosts. AA<\/p>\n I had desperately been hoping to say \u201cLennart Karl\u201d. In the Germany prodigy\u2019s unfortunate absence, Antonio Nusa of Norway might just steal the scene from better-known teammates if things click for the 21-year-old. NA<\/p>\n