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Is this Cristiano Ronaldo's last chance?

Portugal are heavy favourites to win Group K but in a team brimming with talent including Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes and Paris St-Germain's Vitinha, it's still 41-year-old Ronaldo who steals the headlines.

The biggest threat to that top spot is 13th ranked Colombia. Bayern Munich's Luis Diaz will be leading the charge from the front in his first World Cup alongside veteran James Rodriguez, but a wobbly end to their qualifying campaign might be playing on their minds.

Congo and debutants Uzbekistan are closely ranked at 46th and 50th in the world respectively and on paper, will be looking at finishing as one of the best third placed teams. But then you never know what to expect from a debut side.

Chris Sutton
Former England forward

Sutton's pre-tournament picks: Colombia (winners) and Portugal (runners-up). DR Congo to finish third and Uzbekistan fourth.

Portugal v DR Congo: 2-1

Uzbekistan v Colombia: 0-1

Portugal

World ranking - 5

World Cup appearances - 9

World Cup best performance - third (1966)

Congo DR

World ranking - 46

World Cup appearances - 2

World Cup best performance - group stage

Uzbekistan (debut)

World ranking - 50

World Cup appearances - debut

Colombia

World ranking - 13

World Cup appearances - 7

World Cup best performance - quarter-finals

Image source, Getty Images

Chris Sutton
Former England forward

Sutton's pre-tournament picks: Argentina (winners) and Austria (runners-up). Algeria to finish third and Jordan fourth.

Argentina v Algeria: 2-1

Austria v Jordan: 2-0

Algeria finishing above defending champions Argentina to top group J is a huge shout, Guy.

Argentina

World ranking - 3

World Cup appearances - 19

World Cup best performance - champions (1978, 1986, 2022)

Algeria

World ranking - 28

World Cup appearances - 5

World Cup best performance - round of 16

Austria

World ranking - 24

World Cup appearances - 8

World Cup best performance - third (1954)

Jordan (debut)

World ranking - 63

World Cup appearances - debut

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport's TV and radio football pundits and co-commentators have predicted who will win the world cup...

Danny Murphy: It's hard to look past France with the firepower they have, when you think about extra time in hot weather against tired legs.

The likes of Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue can't all start, but they can be gamechangers if they come on after 70 minutes in 30 degrees heat.

Alan Shearer: France, but there's a caveat that comes with it - only if there is no in-house fighting. With the ability they have in forward positions, two or three big players are going to be left out every game, so it will come down to whether they cope with that in the right way.

Paul Robinson: The only thing that stops France from winning it is France. They will need a harmonious dressing room.

Read the rest of the BBC Sport team's predicitions here.

Image source, Getty Images

No prizes for guessing that France - ranked as the number one team in the world - are the favourites in Group I. Let's focus on who will the the favourites to finish in second place.

Senegal and Norway will perhaps be the two sides fighting it out for the other guaranteed spot in the knockout stage. Both squads have a mixture of players who are regulars in Europe's elite leagues and players who will be looking to announce themselves to the world this summer - but who will finish higher?

The Taranga Lions, led by Sadio Mane, are higher-ranked team, and performed well in the controversial Africa Cup of Nations tournament just a few months ago - but Norway, led by world class striker Erling Haaland, Premier League-winning captain Martin Odegaard, amongst others, will have plenty of firepower to make it out of their group - ut admittedly have far less recent World Cup experience than Senegal. The match between the two sides on 23 June could decide their fate.

Iraq, who were the last team to qualify for this tournament, will be looking to cause a big upset in group I. Qualfication to the knockout stage would automatically become their best ever World Cup finish.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport's TV and radio football pundits and co-commentators have predicted who will win the world cup...

Ellen White: Well, obviously I want England to win it. That's what I am going with, but if that wasn't to happen then France have a very good squad.

Tony Pulis: It's ridiculous that there are 48 teams, and 40 more games than last time. Fair play to all the countries that are going, everyone will enjoy it, but football at this level is now being used as a cash cow.

I've got Argentina, Brazil, France, England, Morocco, Portugal, Spain and Senegal as my quarter-finalists. My pick to win it? France.

Chris Sutton: Spain are an outstanding team but I've gone for France to win the past two World Cups and I wasn't far wrong.

Read the rest of the BBC Sport team's predicitions here.

France

World Ranking: 1

World Cup Appearances: 17

World Cup Best Performance: Champions (1998, 2018)

Senegal

World Ranking: 14

World Cup Appearances: 4

World Cup Best Performance: Quarter-finals

Iraq

World Ranking: 57World Cup Appearances: 2

World Cup Best Performance: Group stage

Norway

World Ranking: 31

World Cup Appearances: 4

World Cup Best Performance: Round of 16

Image source, Getty Images

Hard to disagree Jeff, when this is who they've got as sheriff.

Image source, Gett

Nice to see Sweden boss Graham Potter is unleashing his inner Texan ahead of his side's group stage opener against Tunisia on 15 June.

Sweden is using FC Dallas' stadium as its home base for the tournament.

While Spain captain Rodri may not quite be at the level he showed at Euro 2024, he is still the metronome of Luis de la Fuente's side. Lamine Yamal's game has only gone onwards and upwards since their European triumph and is now widely regarded as one of the world's best players. Good luck stopping him.

Uruguay skipper Federico Valverde is one of the most complete players in world football and any nation would be lucky to have the Real Madrid man at their disposal. Darwin Nunez, who had bright moments during his time at Liverpool, could be another key figure for La Celeste if he brings his A-game.

Full-back Saud Abdulhamid has been a constant for the Saudi Arabia national side in recent years and is the only player in the squad who plays outside of the nation, plying his trade for Ligue 1 outfit Lens, helping them win the Coupe De France last month.

Tricky attacking midfielder Jamiro Monteiro is crucial to how Cape Verde want to play and he often drops deep or drifts out wide to get on the ball. His comfort in tight spaces should not be a surprise, as he grew up playing cage football in Rotterdam.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Perhaps one of the easier groups to decide, Spain and Uruguay will be expected to finish first and second in group H - and likely in that order too.

Spain were crowned European Champions in 2024 and finished runners up in last year's edition of the Nations League and know what it takes to succeed in international tournaments.

Uruguay, without the likes of Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, perphaps look less threatening than they have at previous editions of the tournament - but thanks to La Liga stars Federico Valverde and Ronald Araujo, and former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez, Marcelo Bielsa's side has a strong enough spine to make a mark in group H and progress to the latter stages of the tournament.

Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde, ranked 61st and 69th in the world respectively, have to be on their A-game to topple the World Cup veterans in their group. Saudi Arabia's squad have limited experience outside of their own nation and Cape Verde, in their maiden tournament, don't quite know what it takes to make it on the World Stage yet.

Can Saudi Arabia or Cape Verde take advantage of their underdog status and shock the world in Group H? Stranger things have happpened.

Spain

World Ranking: 2

World Cup Appearances: 17

World Cup Best Performance: Champions (2010)

Cape Verde

World Ranking: 69

World Cup Appearances: Debut

World Cup Best Performance: N/A

Saudi Arabia

World Ranking: 61

World Cup Appearances: 7

World Cup Best Performance: Round of 16

Uruguay

World Ranking: 17

World Cup Appearances: 15

World Cup Best Performance: Champions (1930, 1950)

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Belgium's 'golden generation' are probably heading to their last World Cup. Will Kevin De Bruyne, Thiabaut Courtois and co be more motivated than ever to finally win some silverware? Regardless, the Belgian squad is still the strongest on paper in group G thanks to the those left from the golden generation and younger talents like Jeremy Doku.

Despite recent failures, the Red Devils are still the favourites - but after a group stage exit four years ago Qatar, it is far from certain that we will see Rudi Garcia's side in the knockouts.

Egypt and Iran are the sides most likely to topple Belgium and escape from group G. Egypt, despite being ranked eight places lower, perhaps have more firepower than Iran thanks to Premier League great Mohamed Salah and Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush.

Iran, in the midst of a conflict with one of the tournament's host nations, are perhaps more motivated than any other country to make their mark on this World Cup. Any progression from group G would become the West Asian country's best ever finish at a World Cup, and they will be raring to go.

New Zealand are back on the biggest stage for the first time in 16 years when they drew all three of their group stage matches and exited the tournament in South Africa. Given that the All Whites are ranked over 50 places lower than Group G's next best Egypt, progressing to the knockout stage would be a fantastic achievement for Chris Wood and co.

Napoli duo Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku had less than ideal preparations for this tournament, only making 23 appearances in Serie A last season, but have been some of the country's finest performers in their golden era. They could make the differnece if they can get back to their best. Thibaut Courtois in net is another one of the country's best ever players and has plenty of experience on the big stage for both club and country.

Premier league legend Mohamed Salah is Egypt's greatest ever player and will be key in what is most likely his las ever world cup. Alongside him in attack is Manchester City man Omar Marmoush who has plenty of firepower of his own.

Former Inter Milan and Porto striker Mehdi Tarmei, who now plays for Olympiacos, has plenty of experience at the top level and has an impressive record of 60 goals in 105 outings for Iran. If anyone is going to score for Iran, it's him.

Speaking of strikers who have plenty of experience at the top level, Chris Wood is the man to look out for in the New Zealand squad. The Nottingham Forest man scores exactly a goal every other game for the All Whites and will be hoping to score his first ever World Cup goal after failing to score in New Zealand's last world cup campaign in 2010.

Image source, Getty Images

Chris Sutton
Former England forward

Sutton's pre-tournament picks: Belgium (winners) and Egypt (runners-up). New Zealand to finish third and Iran fourth.

Belgium v Egypt: 1-1

Iran v New Zealand: 0-1

Belgium

World Ranking: 9

World Cup Appearances: 15

World Cup Best Performance: Third (2018)

Egypt

World Ranking: 29

World Cup Appearances: 4

World Cup Best Performance: Group stage

Iran

World Ranking: 21

World Cup Appearances: 8

World Cup Best Performance: Group stage

New Zealand

World Ranking: 85

World Cup Appearances: 3

World Cup Best Performance: Group stage

Image source, Getty Images