FORMER Everton hero Tim Cahill has raised eyebrows with some VERY bold World Cup predictions.
The ex-striker reckons England’s quest for a first World Cup triumph since 1966 will end end at the hands of… host nation Qatar.
Cahill, 42, believes Brazil will beat Belgium in the final – not beyond the realms of possibility.
But the Aussie football legend reckons the Three Lions won’t even make it to the quarter-finals.
He’s got host nation Qatar, ranked 50th in the world, to knock the No5 ranked England out in the round of 16.
Although Cahill admitted that was an “emotional” pick, because he currently lives in Qatar.
He said: “I played in England, but I live in Qatar and I work at Aspire Academy, so this is an emotional pick to go with the underdog.”
Although Cahill is not alone in his thinking, with ex-Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o and legendary Brazilian defender Cafu also backing Qatar to BEAT England in the round of 16.
Another questionable Cahill prediction is Australia to reach the quarter-finals, beating Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the round of 16 in the process.
That would be a best ever World Cup finish for the Socceroos.
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Fans though were left baffled by Cahill’s bold World Cup predictions.
One wrote on Twitter: “This is the worst prediction ever made.”
Another said: “Is this a joke?”
And a third joked: “You alright Tim?”
Cahill reckons the African nations in Qatar have the capability of going far in the tournament.
He has got Africa Cup of Nations champs Senegal to get all the way to the semis, Cameroon to reach the quarters, and Ghana the round of 16.
He also has Cameroon to reach the quarters, and said: “When you look at Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana, they’ve got a lot of world-class players playing in some of the biggest leagues in the world and they’re constantly producing talent.
“For African teams to break the mould and battle it out to win a World Cup would be pretty special.”
