Golden boot, MVP and World Cup dark horses – our writers predict the stars of Russia 2018

The World Cup is almost upon us and after four years much has changed in the world of football.

Will the Germans become only the third team ever to win back-to-back titles and the first since Brazil in 1962? Is this finally England’s year? Who is going to take the individual trophies?

We asked our writers all this and more. Here are their responses.

Who will win the World Cup?

As much as it would be good to finally see a new name on the list of World Cup winners, it’s hard to look past the usual suspects. Holders Germany look the safest bet of those, despite recent losses to Austria and Brazil in friendlies. Many of this team lifted the trophy in Brazil and the new additions in the last four years, such as Timo Werner and Leon Goretzka, have arguably added to Jogi Loew’s squad. Plus, unlike Argentina, Brazil and Portugal, they are not built on one stand-out footballer but rather a team. Jonathan White

Not so much dark horses as bona fide stable leaders, the France squad is so chock full of talent that they were able to leave out a group of players that would have walked into almost every other squad in Russia. The depth of this France team is frightening, and if they can click (and group harmony can be maintained for four short weeks), I fancy they’re at least a safe bet for a run to the final this time around. Paul Ryding

Since their all-conquering heyday from 2008 to 2012, Spain have had a quiet past couple of international tournaments. It was only natural they would take their foot off the gas as one generation transitioned into another and, by the looks of their qualifying campaign, Spain are ready to reclaim the throne. There’s quality all over the park: the best goalkeeper in the world in David de Gea; a solid back four with plenty of goals in it; creativity and flair in abundance in midfield and out wide and brute strength up front in Diego Costa. Nicolas Atkin