Pick your winner, and then let us know your reasons. I’m asking who you believe will win, and NOT who you wish win.
I picked Spain. Despite their injuries, I think that they are deep enough to win it all.
The US can. And I’m optimistic. They’re my pick.
I voted for Argentina because Messi will score all the time.
I also choose Spain. A good portion of the team is being provided by Barcelona. The same Barcelona that’s been laying waste to every club in Europe for the last two years.
If Messi can put that circus on his back and drive them to the world cup he can retire at 23 as the greatest player of all time. Seems unlikely, but I spose it is Messi we’re talking about so anything’s possible. He has not played well internationally, though.
Got to go with Spain as overall most likeliest. Winning Euro 08 put them over the hump of underachievement and they have the same corps of players. Not up to date with their injury situation, but they seem to have a tremendous depth of talent. Also have an easy group.
I’d fancy France to do well as an outside pick. Can’t call them a dark horse, or even an outsider really, but they looked pyar shite in qualifying. Great quality going forward though.
As far as I can tell, everyone is healthy. Even if they weren’t, only injuries to defenders would give them cause for concern. They are not that deep at the back, especially on the flanks. Up front on the hand, about a dozen attackers and midfielders would have to go down before you’d notice a drop in quality.
I put the USA merely because I’m a homer.
USA! USA! USA!
I went with Cameroon. I have a strange feeling an Africa team will win it, on home continent dirt, and I have no confidence in Ivory coast.
what, no confidence in North Korea taking it home? It’d be interesting to see what NK coverage of the world cup will be like 
That said, I also chose Spain. They’ve got a great team and vast goal scoring abilities plus a very strong mid-field. Brazil is also very good this year, but I’d prefer Spain to win it.
Brazil, because I know nothing about the current quality of any of the teams. I watched the Italy vs. France final in 2006, so I considered them. But Brazil has been good historically and I feel they are due for a World Cup win.
If I was a gambling man, I’d put odds on Ivory Coast as the odds are around 22 to 1. The problem is, they are in a group with Brazil and Portugal. They have talent in Drogba and Toure though and they have home field advantage (more or less).
If my life depended on it, I’d probably go with spain - they’re pretty deep…probably should’ve voted for them.
Italy. Though I have no real reasoning behind the pick.
Just didn’t want to pick the standard “Brazil” answer. But my #2 pick is Brazil.
My Wildcard pick: I thought about Germany but then settled on Italy.
I went with Brazil, but really hope I’m wrong and the Dutch (or otherwise Spain) do it. It seems that Brazil always wins when the tournament is held outside of Latin America (where South American teams win) or Europe (where European teams win). Just look at US 94 ens Japan Korea 2002.
Hard to pick Argentina with their numbskull coach. I went with Spain, but think that it’s particularly wide open this time. Almost nothing would surprise me.
I like Spain and Barcelona, but let’s see what happens in the match tonight against Milan.
Well, when Fabio Capello was appointed England manager I rashly predicted he would lead England to the next World Cup title. I don’t have any business turning back on that prediction now.
I think Spain have too many injuries, else they would be my pick.
I’ll go with France, mainly because nobody has picked them yet and because it wouldn’t surprise me if the team that cheated to get in to the competition won it.
Messi is fantastic, no doubt, but Maradona probably counters that (just like the rest of the England team drag Rooney down… ).
IMO Barca were lucky to get past Chelsea in the Champions League last year and they might not make the final this year.
2 of the best midfielders in the world, Iniesta and Fabregas, are currently injured, as well as Fernando Torres, one of the best strikers. Of course, Spain has enough great midfielders and strikers to field 2-3 World Cup quality teams.
It’s so hard to keep track of the back ups. 
All three are expected to be healthy in time for the tournament.