The World Cup kicks-off in Russia on June 14, and the usual suspects are among the nations most fancied to lift the famous trophy aloft in Moscow.
Five-time world champions Brazil are marginal favourites ahead of Germany and Spain, with France, Argentina and Belgium completing the front-runners.
England fans looking to back Gareth Southgate's men will get healthy odds on a first tournament victory since 1966.
A south American team has never won the World Cup in Europe, while Germany are aiming to be the first team since Brazil in 1962 to retain the trophy.
This is who the experts are backing to prevail this summer.
Who will win it?
Paul Hayward (Chief sports writer)
Brazil looked shot to bits four years ago, but have recovered and are blessed with match-winners.
Jamie Carragher (Telegraph Sport columnist)
Brazil. Ready to make amends for four years ago.
Jason Burt (Chief football correspondent)
There are favourites - including Germany, Spain, Argentina, Belgium and France - but Brazil have the strongest line-up and coach.
Sam Wallace (Chief football writer)
Doubts remain over Didier Deschamps, but France have the players to go all the way.
Alex Scott (Former England international and Telegraph Sport columnist)
Germany. Their blend of experience and the youth coming through, I think they look frightening.
Jeremy Wilson (Deputy football correspondent)
Spain. Yes, they dipped after their golden era but the squad remains packed with vast quality in every position.
Oliver Brown (Chief sport feature writer)
France. Blessed with depth and youth in all departments.
Matt Law (Football news correspondent)
Spain.
Jim White (Telegraph Sport writer)
France. Any side that is so endowed with attacking strength it can leave out Anthony Martial and Alexandre Lacazette is on to something.
James Ducker (Northern football correspondent)
Spain. They probably have the most balances team and are back in form.
Ben Rumsby (Sports news correspondent)
Either Brazil or Germany, but I have a feeling it will be Brazil.
England will reach the...
Paul Hayward
The second round, or quarter-finals if the draw works out well.
Jamie Carragher
Quarter-finals. That would be a good achievement.
Jason Burt
Quarter-finals. Getting out of the group is the minimum and getting through a knockout tie - at least one - would be one.
Sam Wallace
Quarter-finals, providing they can make use of their attacking attributes and compensate for defensive weakness.
Alex Scott
Quarter-finals. But once they come up against a top side, I can't see them progressing.
Jeremy Wilson
Semi-finals. There is understandable pessimism, but the Champions League suggested that English players are better than we often think.
Oliver Brown
Quarter-finals. Even a runners-up finish in Group G likely to be rewarded with winnable second-round match against Colombia or Senegal.
Matt Law
Last-16. Quarter-finals would be seen as a successful tournament, but I suspect Gareth Southgate's team will fall just short of that goal.
Jim White
The quarter-finals, after an encouraging group stage and a fluky victory over Colombia in the last-16.
James Ducker
Quarter-finals. And I'd say that would constitute a success.
Ben Rumsby
Quarter-finals. They should, anyway. The draw could hardly have been made easier for them.
Which big team will flop?
Paul Hayward
France. Plenty of good players, but Didier Deschamps may be a handicap.
Jamie Carragher
Portugal. Euro 2016 winners but I can't see the same impact here.
Jason Burt
Portugal. They can never be ruled out with Cristiano Ronaldo, but the European champions do look limited.
Sam Wallace
Belgium have the players, but of all the bug guns they seem the most dysfunctional.
Alex Scott
France. It will go one way or the other with the. But there is always a row in them.
Jeremy Wilson
Germany's World Cup record is extraordinary, but with doubts over Manuel Neuer's fitness, they are not the force they were four years ago.
Oliver Brown
Portugal. Far too reliant on Cristiano Ronaldo.
Matt Law
Argentina. Unless Lionel Messi can carry the team on his own, then Jorge Sampaoli's team may struggle.
Jim White
Brazil. A surfeit of talent, for sure, but the risk is they will not cohere.
James Ducker
I'm not sure about flop, but something irrational is telling me France may disappoint.
Ben Rumsby
Doubt any will, but England are the most likely to.
Who will win the Golden Boot?
Paul Hayward
Neymar has returned fresh and is a decent bet at 12-1.
Jamie Carragher
Neymar. Fit again and sure to be a star of the tournament.
Jason Burt
Lionel Messi. It's his last chance at a World Cup. Or Neymar. Outside bet? Timo Werner of Germany, or even Harry Kane.
Sam Wallace
Robert Lewandowski is a great striker in his prime and with tournament experience.
Alex Scott
Thomas Muller. Germany didn't get the Golden Boot when they won it in 2014, but this time you can't dismiss what Muller can do.
Jeremy Wilson
France should go far into the tournament and Antoine Griezmann is among the most consistent forwards in the world.
Oliver Brown
Antoine Griezmann. The most coveted striker in Europe for a reason.
Matt Law
Romelu Lukaku. I expect Belgium to go far and and Lukaku to score a lot of goals.
Jim White
Sergio Aguero, with a couple of hat-tricks along the way.
James Ducker
Lionel Messi. Fourth time lucky.
Ben Rumsby
Neymar. Will be on a mission after the agony of four years ago.