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A Reuters poll, which correctly predicted the World Cup champion in 2010, currently has Brazil as the favorite to win for a sixth time in the tournament that begins on November 20 in Qatar.
The bookmakers and 135 football-following market analysts worldwide predicted Brazil’s first win since 2002.
Nearly half expected Brazil to win, while 30% evenly split between France and Argentina. Germany, England, and Belgium had high single-digit scores.
Neymar, Vinicius Jr., Alisson, and Ederson—all Brazilian—dominated the poll.
Nearly half of respondents splited to expect between Lionel Messi or Paris Saint-Germain teammate Neymar to win the Golden Ball. The Argentine maestro won it eight years ago in Brazil.
Kylian Mbappe was predicted to win the Golden Boot.
Qatar spent US$220 billion (S$303.2 billion) hosting the tournament, almost fifteen times more than the second-most expensive, but 41% of respondents said it would have no long-term economic impact.
Nearly the same number said it would be net positive, while 21% said negative.
