“I am a fan of Germany. I am not picking them to win but I like them. They are a perennial top-flight team and I admire them for that even in years when they didn’t seem like they would do well, but I would say either Brazil or Argentina will win. I will give the edge to Argentina because of the (Lionel) Messi factor.”

— Lance Whittaker, executive producer Sportsmax

“I don’t know who will win, but I know who I would like to win… Brazil — because they have the tradition. The entertaining style of football. They bring a level of excitement to the game and they are ranked number one and have been consistently the world’s best football team.”

— Howard Aris, president, Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association

“Brazil. I always support Brazil no matter what they are doing.”

— Marva Bernard, president, Jamaica Netball Association

“Argentina. Given their qualifications it is hard to justify why they are my favourites, but they are a team of depth. Whether the coaching staff can pull together all the skills available to them is another thing, but I think they have all the tools in the defensive midfield and the offensive as well.”

— Major Warrenton Dixon, president, Jamaica Volleyball Association

“England has always been an emotional favourite and they have been playing pretty well recently, but obviously you cannot discount the South American teams.”

— John Eyre, president, Amateur Swimming Association of Jamaica

“Cameroon. In fact, any country from the African continent. Cameroon though is my favourite because they always do their best despite the conditions and they are underdogs.”

— Connie Francis, National Senior Netball team coach

“Spain. The top team for the last three years has been Barcelona and when you look at the Barca line-up, they are the form team now. They have had the form players over the last three years. They are proving that and when you look at club players they have the most rounded team and their midfield and their forward line, that is going to be very potent. I don’t give England any chance, by the way. I think a European team will win and I think Argentina would do better than Brazil.”

— Keith Garvey, president, Jamaica Table Tennis Association

“My team is Brazil. I really love Brazil. The formation. The structure, they just always seem to know where the players are… I just love how they play, but its more from sentiment than really following the team.”

— Molly Rhone, president, International Federation of Netball Associations

“Portugal is my sentimental favourite, because we (my family) have a Portuguese extract so it would be them. I think they did very well the last time. I am not sure what is happening with Cristiano Ronaldo now. I think most Jamaicans are going to say Brazil, but mine is Portugal.”

— William Tavares-Finson, president, Jamaica Boxing Board of Control

“Argentina would be my sentimental favourite. I think Argentina is going to beat up Brazil this time. They seem more motivated to do well.”

— Victor Tomlinson, president, Jamaica Hockey Federation

“My team has always been Argentina because of the character of (Diego) Maradona as a player, and how he has overcome his drug problem over and over, and the fact that he is now coaching the team.

— Betty Wates, vice-president, Jamaica Equestrian Federation

“One of the African countries like Cameroon will win. Simply because there is obviously immense talent coming from out of there when you look at French football and so many stars coming out of there. They have enough, but they did some amazing things and they’ve advanced so much that I think there could be a break out African team, especially one like Cameroon.”

— Ajani Williams, president, Jamaica Amateur Basketball Association