Rabbi, who’s going to win the World Cup?

Ivor Baddiel (IB), 63; television scriptwriter and author who has written several books about football, most recently 50 Times Football Changed the World.

Rabbi Charley Baginsky (CB), 47, and Rabbi Josh Levy (JL), 52; co-leads of Progressive Judaism in the UK. Fans of Watford and Manchester United, respectively.

First things first, who’s your bet for the winner?

JJ: “France – the majority of the squad have been together for a few years now and their front four is ridiculous.”

DB: “There are three things I’m thinking about for this: the quality of the players, the draw, and the weather. Given all that, I think France.”

IB: “In the absence of any octopus wisdom [referring to Paul the Octopus, who predicted matches at the 2010 tournament], I can’t see beyond France – they have so many good players, when they gel and play at their best, you can put your house on them.”

CB: “England all the way!”

And which three other teams will join them in the semi-finals?

JJ: “Argentina, England, and the Netherlands.”

DB: “Spain, Argentina, and Brazil or Mexico.”

IB: “There’s always an unexpected team in the semis, so I’m going with Spain, Brazil, and Senegal, who will have a lot to prove after the Africa Cup of Nations final.”

JL: “Spain, France, and Portugal.”

Senegal players during the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco in January (photo: Issam Zerrok / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images)Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

Who’s your dark horse?

JJ: “Morocco – I think the hot conditions may play a part.”

DB: “Mexico – playing the matches at home will be a big advantage, and they’re a decent side.”

IB: “Well, it feels as if I have to say Senegal now, but that’s no fun, so I’m going with the mighty Japan.”

JL: “Switzerland.”

The big question… how will England do?

JJ: “Weirdly, I think that this year, where there’s a little less expectation than in some previous tournaments, this might be the year that England win it.”

DB: “If we got to the quarter-finals, I think it’s a good achievement, given that it means two wins after the group stage. Beyond that, we’ll have done extremely well. It all depends on the draw – and I think to do it in the heat in America would be impressive.”

IB: “I think it’s best to keep expectations as low as possible, so I’m going to say that they won’t get out of the group in the hope of being pleasantly surprised.”

CB: “As a Rabbi, I’d say faith is vital to our lives, so let’s have faith that England can win the whole thing!”

England players during a pre-tournament training session (photo: Chandan Khanna / AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty Images

  

And how about Scotland?

JJ: “I think they will surprise a few people and get out of the group. The mentality of a team with no fear, expectations, or pressure can be dangerous for other teams.”

DB: “Hopefully they will get through the group – they’ll play with spirit and have good support behind them.”

IB: “If they win their first game against Haiti, which they should, then I think they will get out of the group stage for the first time ever. Then… they’ll lose and be heading home.”

JL: “They’ve got a really difficult group with Brazil and Morocco, so getting out of their group would be an achievement I’d love to see.”

Who are you supporting, aside from England?

JJ: “It’s been ingrained in me since I was a child, as someone who is a proud Welshman, that you’ve got to support whoever is playing against England! I’d also love to see Scotland do well as I saw what it did for Wales in Euro 2016. And I want Brazil to do well – I love their style. When Brazil are doing well it feels like football is in a good place.”

DB: “I would very much like to see an African team do well, as these tournaments are dominated by Europe and a bit of south America. There are so many great African players, and it would really be great for world football.”

IB: “Curaçao, because I’ve been there and written a travel piece about the island for the JC. It’s beautiful and home to the oldest Jewish community in the Americas.”

CB: “With Progressive Jewish communities across the USA, Canada, and Mexico, the host nations have my support too.”

Curaçao fans cheer for their team during an international friendly Curaçao and Aruba on June 6 (photo: Pong Pong / AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty Images

Who will win the Golden Boot?

JJ: “Kylian Mbappe – especially now with VAR giving more penalties nowadays.”

DB: “Given I think France are going to win the tournament, I’ll go for Ousmane Dembele.”

IB: “I think it has to be a team’s penalty taker so either Brazil’s Raphinha or Germany’s Kai Havertz.”

CB: “Harry Kane.”

Most assists?

JJ: “A bit of a cop-out, but I’ll say Michael Olise.”

DB: “Lionel Messi – the greatest player of all time.”

IB: “Bruno Fernandes must be in with a shout, along with Kevin de Bruyne and Michael Olise.”

JL: “Bruno Fernandes.”

Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring Portugal's second goal during an international friendly against Chile on June 6 (photo: Carlos Rodrigues / Getty Images)Getty Images

Golden Glove (most clean sheets)?

JJ: “I’m going to go for Jordan Pickford – England don’t concede goals. If they do go out, I think it’ll be a 1-0 loss – or penalties.”

DB: “Emi Martinez, to make it two in a row for Argentina.”

IB: “Manuel Neuer because he gives hope to those of us who are slightly older that our time may yet come.”

JL: “Whoever starts in goal for France!”

And the golden ball (player of the tournament)?

JJ: “Michael Olise again – he’s hitting that top stage in world football now and the numbers he produced for Bayern Munich this year puts him among the elite players.”

DB: “Let’s go safe – I’ll say Kylian Mbappe.”

IB: “Either Jude Bellingham will finally come of age and soar, or Desire Doué, who was brilliant for PSG in the Champions League.”

CB: “Premier League winner Declan Rice.”

Jude Bellingham scores an overhead kick against Slovakia during Euro 2024 (photo: Ina Fassbender / AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty Images

Any players you’re especially excited to watch?

JJ: “I love watching Morgan Rogers – with his energy, attitude, and how he drives at players, I think he’s got something different.”

DB: “I’d like to see how some of the England stars perform in these conditions – you really can’t underestimate this heat. I’m excited to see how Declan Rice does as the outstanding player for the English champions this season.”

IB: “I love Reece James – he’s one of our own – and Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Neymar, who will surely be keen to put on a show in what will likely be their last World Cups.”

CB: “Vinicius Junior and the rest of the Brazilian forward line.”

Finally… what’s your favourite World Cup memory?

JJ: “My first World Cup memory is the 1994 final, which was the first time my dad allowed me to stay up late. I remember watching that game in awe of it.”

DB: “Stating the obvious – I watched us win the World Cup in 1966. There’s nothing more dramatic than that. We’re still living that dream 60 years later. And before that, there was an extraordinary World Cup final in 1954 between Hungary and West Germany. The great Hungarian side had beaten West Germany 7-0 in the group, then they were 2-0 up in the final, and they lost 3-2. It was absolutely extraordinary and made a great impression on me.”

IB: “This is tricky because from an English point of view it’s not a great moment, but I was there in the Azteca stadium when Diego Maradona punched the ball into the net. Being there was incredible – baking hot, a great game, roaring crowd, I loved it, so even though he was a little s***, I’m still going to go for that memory.”

RL: “Bryan Robson scoring after 27 seconds against France in the 1982 World Cup.”