In the World Cup opening match between Qatar and Ecuador on Sunday, Sky Sports experts have predicted what will happen in this special tournament.
Winners
Jamie Carragher – Argentina
“It was Brazil or Argentina. They are the two favourites, but I would love to see Messi win the World Cup. I think it will help him become the greatest player of all.”
Karen Carney – Brazil
“I have a soft spot for them, to be honest – but if you look at the attacking players, they are a joy to watch. Everyone is talking about the last Messi, but it could be Neymar. I think Argentina could face Brazil in the semi-final so it depends on who wins. “
Jamie Redknapp – Brazil
“Neymar is also good – I’ve gone with Brazil because I think it could be their turn.”
Paul Pogba lifted the World Cup with France in 2018
Gary Neville – Brazil
“We always feel we have good players in this country and we do, but when you look at the Brazil team you think, ‘Oh my God – where have they come from?’ It was the same as playing in tournaments. They had very special players. I am confident that they will win.”
Winners
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates his opening goal during the group B match between Portugal and Spain at the 2018 World Cup.
Jamie Carragher – Portugal
Karen Carney – Spain
“In the Euros, they went to Italy, and I think possession of the ball will bring them closer. After that they lost to Italy on penalties, and their young players are amazing among the players. Their coach Luis Enrique is very experienced. what concerns me is just scoring goals, but I help them keep the ball.
“They won the World Cup before without a striker so I don’t think it’s any different.”
Vicente Del Bosque lifted the World Cup with Spain in 2010
Gary Neville – France
Jamie Redknapp – Spain
England
Jamie Carragher – Quarter-finals
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Gary Neville believes Gareth Southgate has taken credit for himself in previous tournaments and says Southgate has the right to decide if he wants to become England manager, should they fail at the 2022 World Cup.
Gary Neville – Quarter-finals
“It’s dangerous to predict where the teams will go, but it looks like England will do what they think they can do in this group, and France will do the same, when they meet in the group stage and I don’t think they will beat France.
“But this is one manager and one group of players who I think can put the game on and stay there – and they can also win on penalties. I think the chances are there, but I think France will be stronger in the game. .”
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Gary Neville, Karen Carney, Jamie Redknapp and Jamie Carragher give their predictions on who they believe will start for England in their first game against Iran, and who will be most important to Southgate throughout the tournament.
Jamie Redknapp – Quarter-finals
“I think the way England have done in the Nations League has dampened everyone’s hopes. I just hope I’m wrong and we’ll be motivated and start playing. I hope we can have real faith and confidence in these players, then everything will go well. It’s possible because I believe it’s an open competition.
“When you look at the potential champions, you have people who think France can win, but they have problems in the middle of the field. It will take me a little bit to be happy.”
Karen Carney – Semi-finals
“I think that’s what we can expect. I have (Paul) Pogba and (N’Golo) Kante, I think that’s why we can go to France. After that, it’s a chance but we’ll be happy. Yes, we would have liked to reach the final but to reach the semi- finals would be nice.”
Wales
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Wales manager Rob Page believes this is the depth of the squad his side have had in recent years heading into the World Cup.
Karen Carney – Round of 16
Jamie Carragher – Group Stages
“I’m just thinking about the two special players we’ve had over the last few seasons in Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, they’re growing up a little bit and it could be the last time we see them in a Wales shirt.
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Daniel James and Harry Wilson explain how excited they are to go to the World Cup with Wales and insist they are not going to Qatar to make up numbers.
“I think Bale will go down as one of the greatest British players ever to play in the Champions League and to be England’s best player on a number of occasions, and what he did for Wales to take them to the Championship.
“I just feel with the power and strength of the USA team it could be too much.”
Jamie Redknapp – Round of 16
Gary Neville – Group Stages
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The World Cup preview team discusses England’s World Cup contenders in Group B and assesses how Iran, USA and Wales will fare in Qatar.
Amazing package
Jamie Carragher – Denmark
“Denmark is in France’s group, and they played each other not too long ago and beat them. If Denmark finishes at the top of the group, France can play Argentina in the first round of the final.”
Karen Carney – Spain
Jamie Redknapp – Senegal
Sadio Mane of Senegal will miss the first game of the World Cup due to injury
Gary Neville – Denmark
Jamie Redknapp – Senegal
“I like them and I feel they have some talented players with speed in the team. They are exciting. I don’t think they will go deep in this tournament but it won’t be a surprise if Spain do well.”
It comes out surprisingly quickly
Karen Carney – Belgium
Jamie Carragher – Belgium
“They’re going to be a great team and Roberto Martinez has done really well – they finished third in the last World Cup but I just feel it’s a big step. Romelu Lukaku hasn’t played for weeks, even months. He played again this weekend at Inter Milan. I think he could be an amazing package to leave. “
Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku are going to the World Cup with Belgium
Jamie Redknapp – Belgium
Gary Neville – Uruguay
Top Scorer
Karen Carney – Lionel Messi
Jamie Redknapp – Lautaro Martinez
“Whoever has won the Golden Boot usually scores the most goals in their group. Argentina have Saudi Arabia in their group and that’s why I visited them.
“Harry Kane also has a big chance when you look at the game, starting against Iran. Nobody has won behind the Golden Boots so it would be good to see him do that. Martinez will get goals in Argentina.”
Kylian Mbappe won the World Cup with France in 2018 – and he is expected to do more this year.
Gary Neville – Kylian Mbappe
Jamie Carragher – Lautaro Martinez
Player of the Tournament
Karen Carney – Neymar
“I think Argentina and Brazil will meet in the semi-finals, so I think it’s a battle between Messi and Neymar. The winner of this battle, for me, will be the player.”
Gary Neville – Neymar
Jamie Carragher – Messi
Jamie Redknapp – Neymar
