World Cup 2022 winner picked as England told what stage they'll get knocked out

Are you dreaming of 1966? Have the urge to sing Three Lions all the time? Checking in on Iran's full back situation? Well, it sounds like you have caught World Cup fever.

There are only six days to go until Qatar get us underway when they face Ecuador in the longest wait we've had for a World Cup since 1950 - thanks to a first-ever winter competition. 32 teams are all equally placed to be with a chance of winning the most glittering of trophies at the Lusail Stadium on December 18.

Gareth Southgate is aiming to keep improving his major tournament record in the Arabian Peninsula. He guided England to the semi-finals with his waistcoat in Russia four years ago before reached the final of Euro 2020 last year.

JOIN IN THE DEBATE: Who do you think will win the World Cup and how will England fare in Qatar? Have your say here

But who will win the 2022 World Cup? Will it be the bookies' favourites Brazil with their impressive and uber-attacking-looking squad? Can France be the first nation to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1959 and 1962? Could Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo bow out with the one thing missing from their CVs?

Mirror Football's best and brightest have got their crystal balls out and predicted who will be hoisting the J̶u̶l̶e̶s̶ ̶R̶i̶m̶e̶t̶ ̶T̶r̶o̶p̶h̶y̶ FIFA World Cup Trophy in 35 days time. Here is what they think...

John Cross

Winner: France

Even without Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante, they have the best squad -particularly in attack. But it must come with the caveat - they are either gonna win it or spontaneously combust! And I think it'll be the former. I do remember 2002 as defending champions, they went out in such spectacular fashion.

Brazil have got great attacking options, Argentina too, but I think Kylian Mbappe trumps the lot. Not to mention Karim Benzema.

England: Quarter-finals

Maybe the window of opportunity has passed as winners. Defence is such an issue. I fancy them to make quarter finals but the path is tricky. I so admire the job Gareth Southgate has done and if this is to be his farewell, then he deserves a hero's send off.

David Anderson

Winner: France

I'm backing France to do what no country has done since Brazil in 1962 and retain the World Cup. This World Cup truly is an unknown quantity because it is the first to take place in the northern hemisphere winter and the Middle East. But I still believe France can overcame these uncertainties to lift the trophy again.

You need goalscorers to win the World Cup and France have them in abundance in Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Karim Benzema. They have a solid, experienced defence and while the loss of Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante is a blow to their midfield, they do have rising star Aurelien Tchouameni.

England: Round of 16

England will qualify from their group, but I expect them to lose to the first technically-good side they face in the knock-out stages. That could Senegal or Holland in the last 16 or possibly France or Argentina in the quarter-finals.

There is just too much wrong with England going into this World Cup and I have never felt Gareth Southgate, as successful as he has been with the Three Lions, has ever got the best out of his attacking talent.

Neil McLeman

Winner: Argentina

Lionel Messi will finally win the World Cup in his last dance on the world stage. The Paris Saint-Germain star, 35, has refound his old Barcelona form this year to lead Argentina on a run of 35 unbeaten matches. They won the Copa America title in Brazil for their first major title 28 years last year and have a good goalkeeper in Emi Martinez and a great attacking support cast in Angel Di Maria, Lautaro Martinez and Paulo Dybala. A blockbuster all South American semi-final with Brazil could be the match of the tournament.

England: Quarter-final (at best)

Gareth Southgate's side could not take advantage of the luck of the draw in the last two big tournaments to win a big trophy. The Three Lions had the chance to reach a World Cup final without facing a traditional big power in Russia and then lost the Euro 2020 final to an Italy team which failed to qualify for the World Cups in 2018 and 2022. This time Senegal, who knocked out Mo Salah's Egypt in the qualifiers, await in the first knockout game if they win Group B - and then probably holders France in the last eight.

Liam Prenderville

Winner: Brazil

It feels as though this is Brazil's time again with Tite having the most talented squad in the world at his disposal. Their attacking options are frightening with standout names Neymar and Vinicius Jr and a supporting cast of Gabriel Jesus, Richarlison and Raphinha.

Thiago Silva still has plenty to offer and will reignite his defensive partnership with ex-PSG teammate Marquinhos in front of Alisson or Ederson. I think they will be far too strong for anything else the competition has to offer.

England: Round of 16

England's best chance of a tournament win came at the Euros and I think they will struggle in Qatar. Their group matches aren't as easy as we think and I wouldn't be surprised to see the Three Lions finish as runners-up and come unstuck in a tricky last-16 test with the Dutch.

Sam Meade

Winner: Argentina

Argentina would be my pick, simply for the momentum they have coming into the World Cup. They head to Qatar as South America's champions following their Copa America success and, as we know, sport loves its fairytales and a victory for Lionel Messi in his final World Cup would be quite the story line, but serious threats come from the likes of Brazil and Spain.

England: Quarter-finals

England are among the favourites, but arrive with little form and question marks over a few of their key starting roles. You can't look past generous knockout draws in the last two tournaments and, with a quarter-final potentially against France, I think the last eight might be as good as it gets for Gareth Southgate.

Nathan Ridley

Winner: Brazil

The Selecao are five-time winners for a reason and their conveyor belt of elite-level talent has produced again in time for Qatar. Whether it be Neymar's last dance, Vinicius Junior's time to shine or the old dogs ' day, the stars feel aligned for Brazil to become world champions once more, 20 years on from their last triumph.

With no European team looking like a force to be reckoned with compared to Tite's men, Argentina are likely to be their fiercest foes. Lionel Messi and co edged them to the Copa America crown 16 months ago, but Brazil's superior experience and deeper quality should stand them in greater stead on the biggest stage of all.

England: Round of 16

As for England, it's hard to imagine Gareth Southgate's side pulling up any trees. A kind group could build confidence and get the nation buzzing, but Three Lions' deficiencies are clear to see and sure to be exploited by a top team come the knockout stage.

Jacob Leeks

Winner: Argentina

As much as I would love for England to lift the World Cup, I can't see anyone other than Argentina emerging victorious in Qatar. Lionel Messi is bang in form and finally has a system at international level that is bringing the best out of him.

Argentina are on the longest unbeaten run of any team playing in the World Cup, with solid players throughout their line-up. They will also be carrying the experience of winning the 2021 Copa America into the tournament, which could be crucial.

England: Semi-final

For England, a semi-final place has to be the aim following their impressive performances in recent tournaments. But their weaknesses in defence are likely to prove their downfall as soon as they come up against one of the bigger nations.

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