The greatest prize in football is on offer in Qatar this winter, as 32 teams descend on the first-ever Middle Eastern World Cup, and the first one to be held in the Northern Hemisphere's winter.
Most of the world's greatest players will be on show over the next month, and every group contains world-class talent capable of lighting up the tournament and writing their name into football folklore.
Brazil head into the competition as tournament favourites, while Lionel Messi's Argentina are among the front-runners too, but European nations such as defending champions France, Germany, England, Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Portugal and Croatia will fancy their chances too.
Here, the Sports Mole team discuss who they believe will be crowned World Cup champions on December 18.
Barney Corkhill, Editor - Brazil
My heart is saying Argentina - after the less-likely England, of course - so that Lionel Messi gets the World Cup farewell he deserves on his last dance on this stage, which in turn would probably cement his status as the greatest of all time.
However, it is difficult to look too far past Brazil given the strength in depth they have throughout their squad, in virtually every position. Even the great Brazilian teams of the past have had an area or two where they are perhaps a little weaker, but this time around their defensive unit is almost as impressive as their attacking one.
The big lingering question is how Tite's men will fare against the best Europe has to offer in the knockout stages - they have been eliminated by a European nation in each of the last four editions since beating Germany in the final of the 2002 tournament, three times in the quarter-finals and once in the semis, the latter being that 7-1 defeat on home soil by Germany.
Uruguay and Argentina could be among the teams they face en route to a final, though, minimising any risk of that pattern striking again, and this Brazilian team looks more capable of overcoming the likes of Germany, Netherlands and France than in recent editions.
Add to that the fact that the tournament is not in Europe - Brazil have not lifted the trophy on European soil since their Pele-inspired first in Sweden in 1958 - and everything looks to have come together nicely for the pre-tournament favourites.
Matt Law, Football Editor - Brazil
For me, it is really difficult to look past Brazil at the World Cup. In my opinion, there are only three or four teams that can win it, Argentina being another of those, and of course France.
For all the understandable negativity surrounding the tournament, I have a feeling that the actual football in Qatar could be brilliant, as there are a number of excellent teams battling for the trophy.
It is between Brazil and Argentina for me, and there is not an awful lot in it, but Tite's side just have so much quality in the final third, and it could be a tournament where the best attack triumphs. Brazil will need to be sturdy in defence and indeed midfield, which would allow their quality forwards to make the difference.
Brazil to win it, with Neymar potentially being the top goalscorer, but I am also expecting Vinicius Junior to have a standout tournament.
Darren Plant, Senior Reporter - Brazil
As with every World Cup, supporters will naturally look to plot out the possible routes of the respective nations in a bid to determine a winner. No-one should expect everything to go to plan, particularly in a mid-season tournament in a climate which will no doubt influence some results, but the general consensus is that there are only three or four realistic winners.
For me, I have to back Brazil. There is potential for the five-time winners to have to beat Uruguay, Germany and Argentina in order to reach the final at a time when they are having to handle expectations of a 20-year wait for a sixth crown coming to an end.
Nevertheless, playing to a high intensity and being forced to use their talented squad to the full may play into their favour, and there is added motivation to beat the three nations mentioned.
The likes of France, England or Spain, maybe even Portugal, could lie in wait in any final, but I expect this tournament to represent a moment where A Selecao further strengthen their standing as the greatest international nation in history.
Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter - Brazil
I can't look past Brazil this year, as barring their full-backs, there just doesn't seem to be an obvious weakness in their team. Even if teams can trouble an ageing Dani Alves, the presence of Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Eder Militao and Alisson is intimidating to say the least.
With so many quality options in the final third, the Selecao can make up for any defensive deficiencies with a glut of goals and bring home a sixth World Cup trophy.
Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter - Brazil
While there is set to be plenty of quality on show at the 2022 World Cup, I believe every nation heading to Qatar has weaknesses, whether it is a lack of form or squad depth in a particular area or the absence of key players, which makes it difficult to predict an overall winner of the biggest prize in football.
Having said that, Brazil are rightly favourites to go all the way in Qatar as they appear to possess one of the strongest squads they have had since winning their last World Cup 20 years ago.
Tite has a great combination of exciting young talents and experienced pros at his disposal, while Selecao star Neymar heads into the tournament in fine form. A lack of real quality at full-back is maybe one slight issue, though.
Argentina, France, England and potentially Portugal are also ones to keep an eye on, but this could be the year Brazil win a record-extending sixth World Cup.
Brett Curtis, Reporter - Brazil
Not the most exciting prediction in the world but I think we are overdue a South American winner and, should both top their groups as expected, Brazil and Argentina could meet in a titanic semi-final clash. I think the winner of that lifts the World Cup trophy, and Brazil appear to have more attacking firepower to me.
Joel Lefevre, Reporter - Brazil
Every World Cup Brazil are among the favourites to win it all and there is good reason to suggest 2022 will be the tournament A Selecao end a 20-year drought and lift the trophy.
The Brazilians have only lost one competitive fixture in over three years, so they are in form and so are the players, led by the resurgent Neymar, who's been sharp in the final third.
Neymar is just one of the many players chosen by Tite who are in fine form; there's also Gabriel Jesus who's been contributing regularly at Arsenal, there's an experienced backline with plenty of composure, anchored by Thiago Silva and while Fabinho and Liverpool are not having a great season, he is still one of the best in his position.
Brazil also have two elite goalkeepers in Alisson and Ederson, which is rarely the case with this side, and add to that the literal desert-like conditions of Qatar, it feels like the year the Brazil bring it all together and triumph once again.
Andrew Delaney, Reporter - Germany
While Brazil and Argentina are getting all the pre-tournament hype, Germany are going under the radar, and that is when they flourish.
Despite two poor major tournaments at Russia 2018 and Euro 2020, Germany look revitalised under new manager Hansi Flick and with their pedigree at finals, they could take advantage of a wide-open World Cup to claim a joint-record fifth title.
Declan Carr, Reporter - Argentina
Lionel Messi's last hurrah? Argentina finally look like a squad capable of winning the big one.
The presence of the likes of Emi Martinez, Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero at the back, Enzo Fernandez, Rodrigo De Paul and Leandro Paredes in midfield, with Messi, Julian Alvarez, Paulo Dybala and Lautaro Martinez all capable of chipping in with game-defining moments.
They will take some beating.
George Priestman, Reporter - Brazil
With an excellent mix of youth, talent and experience, alongside the frightening form of Neymar, Brazil look strong and have an excess of attacking firepower and midfield quality that could fire them to a sixth World Cup success.
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