The international Irish League: Players past and present offer World Cup predictions for their countries
The focus for most football fans across the next month will be firmly on the World Cup as 48 teams battle it out for glory – and a host of former Irish League players from around the globe are supporting their respective countries.
Many have travelled across the Irish Sea from Scotland to light up the Premiership, including ex-Ballymena United ace Allan Jenkins, who scored in the Sky Blues’ League Cup triumph over Carrick Rangers in 2017.
Jenkins spent the entirety of his career outside of a six-year stint at The Showgrounds, during which time he registered 254 appearances, in his homeland and will be watching on with interest as Steve Clarke’s side mark the nation’s first World Cup appearance since 1998.
The Scots start their campaign against Haiti in the early hours of Sunday morning and have a dream showdown with five-time champions Brazil to savour on June 24.
With 32 of the 48 teams participating set to progress to the knockout stages, Jenkins expects Clarke’s men to make it at least one step further.
"I think Scotland have a renewed sense of optimism after the victory over Bolivia and how clinical they were, it was really good to see,” he said. “Given the amount of teams that will qualify for the next round, I would be extremely disappointed if Scotland didn’t make it out of their group.
"It’s a tough task against Morocco and Brazil but the Haiti game will be crucial to get off to a good start...there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be looking to take three points there and pick up another point elsewhere which should get them through.
"It’s been 28 years since we were at a World Cup, the Scottish FA have pushed a summer of football so I’m running a football celebration day on Sunday where we’ve a couple of hundred kids coming.
"We’re supported by parents and local clubs so there’s a real sense of pride in Scotland and anticipation for Scotland being at a World Cup.
"Hopefully Steve Clarke and his men will deliver and Scotland can go and have a relatively successful campaign.”
England are priced as third-favourites behind Spain and France to clinch World Cup success and follow in the footsteps of an iconic team which achieved the feat in 1966.
Thomas Tuchel has opted for harmony over star power, leaving the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer at home.
After near misses in 2018 and 2022 under Gareth Southgate, former Larne and Carrick Rangers ace Ben Tilney predicts the Three Lions will go all the way this time.
"I think England will win the World Cup!” he said. “We’ve been very close over the last few tournaments.
"With the change in manager, I think he is going to be the difference in us getting over the line.
"The biggest challenge for us will be adapting to the weather conditions when playing against better opposition, especially in the later stages of the competition and maybe adapting the way we play to suit this.
"I understand why (Tuchel has selected his squad as he has), but I do still think no matter what you need the best players available to use – Cole Palmer should be involved in this tournament.
"I love the way Tuchel approaches games and the way he speaks in his interviews, you can tell he has 100% confidence in the decisions he has made.”
Glentoran’s teenage goalkeeper Milo Beimers has experience of representing his country at the World Cup – he was part of Canada’s squad at last year’s U17 competition in Qatar.
The North American country is one of three host nations for the current World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico – if Northern Ireland had progressed through the play-offs, they’d have provided the opposition for Friday’s opener in Toronto.
Beimers believes the tournament could help inspire the next generation of Canadian stars – and hopes his country can enjoy a dream run.
"I think we have a lot of talent that we can put on display,” he said. “It's home advantage for us and with the backing and support from the crowd, I think we have a good chance to get out of the group.
"Beyond that, I believe we every chance of advancing – the beauty of the World Cup is that miracles can happen and I think if we can get some momentum within the first few games, we have every chance of going far.
"It's a massive statement for Canada to be hosting the World Cup.
"It shows how far the country has come in the past decade or two in its football progression. It's a massive chance for North America to showcase their talent and hopefully inspire many young kids in the area.
"The more exposure Canadian kids get to this World Cup the better. The World Cup is the most viewed tournament of any sport.
"Many kids from Canada choose different sports, such as ice hockey, baseball, basketball, and for a number of years football wasn't prioritised.
"I believe hosting this World Cup will attract many more young players to watch, especially if we progress far...it will spike interest for these young kids, inspiring them to follow in their footsteps.
"I can't put into words how proud I was to get selected for multiple camps with Canada, and play matches, especially getting called up to the U17 World Cup. To wear the Canadian badge meant so much, making my entire family proud on a global scale.”
Kris Bright arrived at Linfield in 2016 as a New Zealand international, earning five caps for the All Whites between 2008 and 2013.
Sitting 85th in FIFA’s world rankings, New Zealand are the lowest-ranked team competing at this World Cup, but with Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood leading the line, Bright hopes his nation can create history by progressing out of a group which includes Iran, Egypt and Belgium.
"Playing for New Zealand was the highlight of my career,” said Bright. “Hearing the national anthem and representing your country...it was always nice to come back together with your mates, all of the players knew each other really well.
"It was a proud time playing for New Zealand. You can see now that a lot more players want to come back and play all of the qualifiers, I think we’re in a really good spot and it’s only getting better.
"Since we qualified, it has been a great build-up. We had games against Chile and Finland with big crowds, there’s definitely a buzz in New Zealand.
"We’re looking stronger than we have in recent years, we’ve more players playing consistently at higher levels in Europe.
"With Chris Wood scoring regularly in the Premier League, I think our set-pieces will be strong and we’ve some very good attacking players. We are likely to nick a goal here and there and we’re defensively quite solid.
"Given we’ve never got out of the group stage, I think success would be doing that. If we can get a win, that will nearly get us through.”