Sir — This refers to the editorial, “Cup of joy” (June 15). One nation will go crazy and erupt with joy on the final day.
The magical Brazil, which is the only team to feature in every World Cup is, as usual, one of the favourites to lift the cup.
The five-time winners have in their ranks supremely gifted artists like Neymar and Gabriel Jesus who can turn the game on its head within seconds.
Then there is Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, the 2016 Euro winners, who can upset the applecart of any team.
The land of Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann and the 19-year-old sensation, Kylian Mbappe — France — will look to make amends for its poor World Cup run after the 1998 glory.
Belgium is a dark horse because it can pull a rabbit out of its hat with a line of new generation players.
Two time champions Uruguay, boasting of that brilliant and smiling striker luis Suarez and defender Diego Godin will be a pain in the neck for all the teams.
That takes us to two superb teams — Germany and Argentina — the winners and the runners-up of 2014.
Obviously, four time champions Germany has had its ups and downs after 2014 but the World Cup is a different kettle of fish. Manuel Neuer and Marco Reus are champion players fit and raring to go.
Argentina, the two time winner, will hope to give a fitting farewell to lionel Messi who came back from retirement to steer the fortunes of the team. The absence of four-time champions Italy, 2010 runners-up Netherlands, Cameroon, Chile and the USA, however, will hurt.