Add the Gazzetta del Sud as a source
The countdown towards the 23rd edition of the World Cup, the first to include 48 teams, has begun. Three days before the inaugural Mexico-Spain match, according to Sisal experts there are two favorite teams, both at 6.00: Spain, which is aiming for the European-World Cup pairing, has not lost an official match in regular time since October 2023 and wants to dispel the taboo of not being able to get through the first round of direct elimination since its only world championship triumph in 2010; and France, who have reached the final in four of the last seven editions, including the last two, and have an unrivaled squad.
Behind them, England will try to bring home a victory that has been missing for 60 years and will be played at 9.00 like the Portugal of old and new talents such as Cristiano Ronaldo, at the last World Cup, and Leao. Behind the Europeans, there are Argentina and Brazil for South America: the world champions, with Messi greeting, and the green and gold led by Carlo Ancelotti are tied at 10.
Possible surprises are Germany, which hasn’t won since 2014, with 16; Holland and Norway, at 25 and 33 respectively, play the role of outsiders, especially strong with two powers like Malen and Haaland in attack.
Mbappé favorite for the title of top scorer
The World Cup will be a parade of stars and the race for the top scorer title looks like one of the fiercest ever. Among the champions in contention, the first candidate is Mbappé who in the last two editions is the player who has scored the most goals (12) and participated in the most goals (14): his title victory is at 6.00 on Sisal.it, at 9.00 the option to win the title of best player of the tournament.
The top scorer of the Bundesliga, with 64 goals in 56 games, Harry Kane is another very popular name, at 7.50 and also MVP at 9.00. On the third step of the podium is Mikel Oyarzabal, one of Spain’s key players, top scorer with 12; Erling Haaland is also hot, who dominated the qualifiers with 16 goals in 8 matches, double the number of any other European, option at 16.
Never underestimate Cristiano Ronaldo, at 20, while the rising star Lamine Yamal is at 25, on par with Messi, Vinicius and Raphinha. Among the players of the new generation, Michael Olise, who makes his debut at the World Cup after a season that put him in the running for the Ballon d’Or with Bayern Munich, is among the favorites to win the title of best player, at 9.00.