. Jeremy Wilson: England. The vast tournament progress under Gareth Southgate is clear and should be a rather better guide to England's chances than the Nations League. James Ducker: Argentina. Unbeaten in 35 matches, Lionel Scaloni has ended the disharmony to unite the squad and create an organised, hard working team set up to maximise the rarefied talents of Lionel Messi. Chris Bascombe: James Maddison. If he's picked (a big if) he'll give England the 'X-factor' they have lacked and dominate the group stages against packed defences. Sam Dean: Lionel Messi. Messi has 11 goals and 14 assists in 18 matches for PSG this season. His last shot at the greatest prize of all. Luke Edwards: Jude Bellingham. It is always dangerous to expect too much from young English players but Jude Bellingham could well leave Qatar as the most coveted player in the world. Jim White: Jude Bellingham. The player who has everything. Not least the temperament to allow his talent to flourish on the grandest of all stages. Jeremy Wilson: Lionel Messi. Although Kylian Mbappe should be even better than at Russia 2018, Messi has been in excellent form and a glorious swansong does look feasible. James Ducker: Lionel Messi. Now 35, the Paris Saint-Germain forward's fifth, and possibly, final World C){kind=link}
Telegraph Sport’s team of football writers lay out their projections ahead of the tournament’s big kick-off on November 20
Chris Bascombe: Brazil. Other than Argentina, I cannot make a compelling case for any other nation… although it could be argued Qatar has already won.
Sam Dean: Argentina. The world’s in-form side has not lost since 2019. The team is packed with speed, skill and defensive determination.
Luke Edwards: Argentina. The romantic in me thinks a Lionel Messi inspired Argentina will finally land the ultimate trophy and give the little wizard a World Cup to match the legendary Maradona.
Jim White: Brazil. Hardly a left field pick, but no other side has the array of attacking talent to match them, not to mention the brilliant goalkeepers and the finest defensive midfielder in the world (and no I don’t mean Fred).