Wenger: It's France for me...

There is the added handicap of the humidity. In the evening it is often okay but even at night it can be oppressive and very warm and uncomfortable. The further north you go the better it is. I have never worked in South Korea but I would think it will be roughly the same - that is, very difficult.

Preparation will also be crucial. It is just 16 days since the European Cup Final. There is a very short break between the end of the European season and the start of the competition.

That could make life difficult for the European teams who are used to having a long preparation.

It may not be too much of a disadvantage but you must get the right balance between rest and preparation.

The players will be fit because they would have been involved in league competitions only weeks before the start of the World Cup. It will not be an easy job to make sure the players peak at the right time.

Argentina are my second favourites. Football means so much to people in that country and they have the guts and passion to go to the tournament and win.

As for Brazil it looks to me as though Rivaldo has passed his peak and there is no one up and coming at the moment.

Expectation in Brazil is always high and takes its toll on the players. Of course, there is Ronaldo but by the middle of April he had played only 10 games this season and I cannot believe anyone who has not played a whole season will produce his best at the end of it.

There is a lot of unrest about Ronaldo even in his own country. And there always seems to be intrigue where the Brazilian team are concerned. It always gets very emotional and I don't think they have the players they need to win the World Cup. For me, England, Germany and Italy have a better chance. England's problem is to find the right balance and, in international terms, that can depend on one player.

Of the individuals most likely to make an impact, I obviously look to Henry and Vieira. Of the rest there is Spain's Raul, who I have always rated highly. For England, David Beckham will play a big part provided he has no further injury problems . Emile Heskey can also have an impact with his power, if he is really fresh.

For Italy, Francesco Totti stands out as a very dangerous player. Juan Veron could be a huge asset for Argentina. He has shown real quality this season.

Part of me will view proceedings with a professional-interest, looking on as Arsenal manager, but the philosophy I adopted many years ago was never buy on the basis of performances in the competition. You cannot compare the conditions in a World Cup with those in a domestic league. They are just so different.

For a start, the World Cup is always played in the summer and the matches are completed inside a few weeks in conditions that are normally more humid than you would find in northern Europe.

Some players may find that ideal. But summer in the Far East is very different to the demands of playing in the English Premiership. Tokyo in June is a complete contrast with English conditions-Also, there is the type of game, the way it is played and the tempo.

What I have to think about is Bolton or Newcastle in February and whether a player who looks good in the World Cup finals would handle those conditions.

There is only one way to find out and it is too big a risk to pay a lot of money for a player who may not be able to cope with what he will face with his club.

In England, players often have to play twice a week in all four seasons - and sometimes those seasons come all in one week!

That is why I will never buy only on the back of a World Cup success. The gamble is too great.

Arsene Wenger's guide to the teams
Great World Cup moments