Midfielder Eden Hazard (left) and his Belgium team-mates are being tipped to cause a stir at this year’s World Cup in Brazil.

Who are the favourites to win the World Cup?

Which team can spring a surprise?

These are some of the recurring questions that occupy the minds of football fans and critics before every World Cup.

With Brazil, the 2014 World Cup hosts, taking on Croatia in the tournament’s curtain-raiser tonight at 10, the debate about the leading candidates shows no signs of abating.

Malta players Andrei Agius and Andrè Schembri are backing Brazil to reach the final on home soil while Ryan Fenech believes that Argentina have what it takes to end their 28-year wait for World Cup glory.

“Brazil and Spain are the two leading contenders in my opinion,” Agius, who spent the second half of last season with Italian club Aprilia, told Times of Malta.

“I say Brazil because they are playing at home and the en-thusiasm of their fans will give them a boost. Spain (2010 World Cup winners) have the best, most complete squad.

“One of these two teams could reach the final.”

Schembri also views Brazil as favourites.

“It’s a difficult question,” Schembri, who recently signed a two-year deal with German club FSV Frankfurt after a successful two-year spell with AC Omonia, said.

“Brazil are playing at home and they have a very strong squad. I believe they are the favourites.”

Invited to predict who will contest the July 13 final at the Maracana, Schembri replied: “A final between Brazil and Argentina would be great.”

Fenech, the captain of 2013/14 double winners Valletta FC, has been impressed with Argentina’s attacking acumen.

“My favourites to win the World Cup are Argentina,” Fenech said.

“They are very strong in midfield and attack.

“I watched Argentina play recently and I must admit that I was impressed. At the back, they are not so convincing but they’ve got a lot of quality in the middle and up front.”

The three Malta internationals agreed that Belgium could be the surprise team of the World Cup.

“Belgium and Colombia,” was Agius’s reply when asked to predict which teams have the potential to surprise in Brazil.

With the likes of Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany, Adnan Januzaj, Romelu Lukaku and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in their ranks, Schembri also expects Belgium to sparkle.

“The team that can surprise in this World Cup is Belgium,” the 28-year-old forward said.

“They have produced some excellent players after the Belgian FA revamped their youth system a few years ago.”

Fenech has put forward two candidates for the ‘surprise team’ tag... Belgium and the Chilean team of Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal.

Star player

When it came to naming one player who can light up the tournament, Agius picked Portugal stalwart Cristiano Ronaldo, the current FIFA player of the year who helped Real Madrid to win their 10th Euro Cup last month.

“Cristiano Ronaldo can be the star of this World Cup,” Agius said.

“He has had a great season and always excels when playing for the national team.”

Schembri believes that Belgium defender Vincent Kompany, the Manchester City captain, has the potential to make a big impact on this year’s World Cup while Fenech hopes that Belgian playmaker Hazard will have a good tournament.

“I enjoy watching Eden Hazard, he’s a player I really admire but as this World Cup is being played in South America, Lionel Messi (Argentina) could take the tournament by storm.”

The Maltese are renowned for their fervent support of foreign teams, especially the likes of Italy, England and Germany.

Schembri said he doesn’t have a favourite team but fancies the less-quoted sides while both Fenech and Agius will be rooting for Italy.

“I like Italy but my favourite team is Malta,” Agius said.