Who do you think is going to win the World Cup?

 

Cosmos B players and coaching staff were split among Brazil, Spain, and Germany, for the most part.

 

The 21st World Cup kicks off Thursday when host Russia plays Saudi Arabia in Moscow.

 

In alphabetical order, here are what some of the Cosmos picks for Russia 2018:

 

 

"I root for Argentina and I think Messi. That’s why they can win."

 

 

"For me, it's tough [Barone would be rooting for Italy]. I'm pulling for Peru. They're my underdog. If not, I'm not really sure. Maybe Uruguay."

 

 

"I'm going to go with Brazil because all their top players are in form right now, other than Neymar coming off from injury. But he has come back strong."

 

 

"Spain, because they have an A, B, and C team that they could field. I think Spanish football as you see with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Valencia, Villarreal, there are so many good teams now. Yes, it's been Barcelona and Real Madrid for the past couple of years, but now there's a lot of Spanish clubs doing well in Europe. I think the level has gone up really high. That's why I think their team is so deep, so much quality. Hopefully, they can pull it off."

 

 

"I wish it would be Colombia. I support Colombia. But to be realistic, I will go with the final winner Brazil. In the South American qualifying they were dominating most of the teams. And they have one of the best players right now in Neymar. In every position, they have top players and all of them are playing and all of them are playing minutes with their club. ... I know Colombia is going to get out of the group stage, then [in the Round of 16] they could have Germany or Belgium and it's going to be a tough game."

 

 

"I'm rooting for Mexico obviously. Who do I think will win? Quote me saying this: Not Poland. Not Poland. That's it. No more. I have a Mexican background. My parents are Mexican. I grew up watching Mexico along with the U.S. With no U.S. this year, I think the obvious reason is to root for Mexico. I have friends on the national team, Gio and Jonathan [dos Santos]. So, you always want to see your friends do well. Of course, I'm rooting for Mexico. I'm not going to say they're going to win the World Cup. but I do see them doing well. [Head coach Juan Carlos] Osorio, representing Mexico, having been with the Red Bulls, you want to see guys who have been around here do well. We hope they have a good tournament."

 

 

"I'm from Spain, so I support Spain. I think the final could be between Argentina, Brazil, Spain, France. They have very good teams. I think Brazil and France have top players. So, one of them is going to be in the final. I think the other one will be Spain. I think we are missing two or three pieces on top, like a good striker. We need some guys on top to score. We need a guy like [David] Villa, with the mobility, the quality to score. We have some good players, like a No. 10, a second striker, no top class on top."

 

 

"I'm a big fan of Spain and Germany. I think Germany is very organized and Spain's team is full of superstars. I'd like to see Belgium and I always enjoy watching Brazil. So, I want Neymar to do well. I'm excited he's back from his injury and he’s already scored a goal."

 

 

"Germany is going to win because of their depth and experience. They've been there. They're in the semifinals every year, the finals, the champions the last time. In terms of the favorite, I don't have one. Italy didn't qualify. So, I'm just watching as a neutral fan."

 

 

"Brazil. I just think they are on a mission because of the way they got beat up the last time [7-1 semifinal loss to Germany at home]. Neymar, if fully fit, will be on point."

 

 

"I think It’s going to be either Brazil or Spain. I think Brazil has showed in the World Cup qualifiers that they have a very strong team this year. I think Spain and Brazil are those type of teams that like to keep the ball. They have very flashy players. Everyone on the team is very technical, including the goalkeepers. I've always been a fan of David Silva and Sergio Ramos. Obviously, Neymar. All the talent that both teams have and especially how technical the players are and how good they play."

 

 

"I'm going to go with Brazil. I've been impressed with them the most. I think obviously overall, the attacking players they've got are just out of this world. Out of the back, they have great players on defense as well. I just think overall their squad is probably up there being the best. They're in the best form going into the World Cup. Who do I want to win? It's obviously, England. I'm English. I'm hoping like every other year I get my hopes up for the World Cup and the Euros. But I mean, you never know. It's England at the end of the day. We've got a really young team, players that have been given an opportunity to play. So, I'm hoping that this year it'll be quarterfinals at least. So, I'm hoping for an England win."

 

 

"I've got to go with Belgium. They're not so much a dark horse. I feel the World Cup is very unpredictable and if there's a team with some talent on it that can take the tournament, I think it's Belgium. France or Brazil is going to be more than likely [to win the title]. But I like Belgium."

 

 

"I've always been a Brazil fan. I want them to win it. This year they've got a very good chance. They have a very good team from fullback all the way to the top. Hopefully, they can win it. I like Brazil, but I'm not sure they will win it. It's hard to say. There's so many good teams -- Germany, Belgium, Spain, France."

 

 

"Obviously, my parents being from Poland and having Polish roots, Polish blood, I would love to see Poland win. I think Belgium is my favorite to win the whole World Cup. They have a lot of young talent, players that are playing at the highest level at a young age. I think they can make a deep run going into the World Cup. Obviously, experience plays a big part in the World Cup. But these guys are young, have a lot of energy."

 

 

"There's a lot of good teams in the World Cup. I'd say Brazil or France would take the whole thing. I’m rooting for Mexico. Hopefully Mexico does well. They just have amazing players on the team. They're just killing every team. Hopefully, they'll do good in the World Cup. I'm fully Mexican, so I've got to go for Mexico."

 

 

"I like Brazil because I think people are not expecting as much as they usually do as they're almost the favorite of it going into, it seems the majority of the World Cups. Not only are they extremely talented throughout their team but I think coming off the semifinal result in Brazil I think they're going to have a chip on their shoulder and maybe looking to make a run. I think they'll go to the final and or win it. Assuming Neymar is healthy; the player he is for Brazil, he is as valuable to any country as one player can be. What he's done for them since he started his national team career is just other worldly."

 

 

"Poland, of course. Poland No. 1. Robert Lewandowski. I was born in that country. We got some good players. We made it out where we lost to Portugal in the quarters in PKs [in Euro 2016]. We came very close. but now it's the World Cup. It's going to be very interesting. There's a lot of great teams. If Lewandowski can keep scoring, I think they can go far. I think they'll get out of the group stage for sure.