The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in just a few hours as co-hosts Mexico take on our boys, Bafana Bafana.
I have to start off by saying if this WC is half as good as the Qatar WC in 2022 it will be brilliant.
I've watched (or listened on the radio back in the day) to 13 World Cup and the last one was the best, in terms of excitement, quality of football and bizarre upsets.
So what about this one?
My heart is with Bafana Bafana but when they get eliminated (and note I'm saying "when" rather than "if") then my heart will be with Harry Kane and England.
Sadly, my head has to disagree. My head says that England, France and Spain have by some distance the three best teams at the tournament but after so many years of disappointment supporting England at these major events, they can't be my pick because, well, they're England. They do have a very good squad though. Maybe not as exciting as the likes of France or Brazil in attack but with Rice and Anderson anchoring the midfield and Harry Kane doing what he does up front, they must have some chance . . . again!
France have so many stars to choose from in attack and they definitely have the potential to win it. Kylian Mbappe is a good bet for golden boot and he'll be surrounded by the likes of Ousman Dembele, Michael Olise and Rayan Cherki. I'm just not convinced their defence is as strong as some of the other contenders and they have a very awkward draw. Assuming both Germany and France top their groups (which is very likely) then one of these two great football nations won't even make it to the quarterfinals as they're scheduled to meet in the round of 16.
Spain have a much softer draw along with a very easy group. They also have Lamine Yamal. With Rodri anchoring the midfield, Pedri playing ahead of him and Yamal and Neco Williams on the wings, all they need is someone to put the goals away. If Mikel Oyarzabal can finish his chances and if Lamine Yamal stays fit, Spain can win their 2nd WC.
Just one note on the draw - and this again assumes the big guns top their groups - Spain will most likely meet the winner of the Germany vs France Round of 16 match in the top half of the draw while the bottom half of the draw will see the winner of England vs Brazil up against the winner of Argentina vs Portugal.
Brazil will be many people's favourites as they always are at any WC but they're not the most consistent (remember them getting a 7-1 drubbing against germany 4 years ago?) and they also have a bit of a banana peel to negotiate in the Round of 16 assuming Norway finish 2nd in their group.
So those are my pre-tournament picks. Anyone else?
Hamba Bafana Bafana!