German football legend, Franz Beckenbauer has played down the chances of an African team winning the next World Cup in Brazil. The Kaiser, in this interview with AIPS, said that Africa’s biggest problem was the individualistic play by its representatives.

Beckenbauer

Beckenbauer, 68, world champion as a player 40 years ago for Germany 1974 and world champion with the German team as manager in Italy 1990, is tipping Brazil to win the FIFA World Cup. And he sees the German squad in a good position. Here is the interview with the German legend.

Lets take a look at the group that contains Germany, USA, Ghana and Portugal:

The group is not especially strong and not especially weak. Most groups are mixed rather well, with an exception: The group with Italy, England and Uruguay. The US-Team develops constantly, have good players, but not strongly enough to endanger Germany. In the same roll I see Ghana. And Portugal exists to me too much of Cristiano Ronaldo. Germany will take this group.

What of the Europeans in yet another South American World Cups – they have never won…
But in life there is a first time for everything. I fancy the Spaniards to top the Europeans teams. With Brazil one says, they are too young.

One will see whether the experience of the Spaniards or the youthful carefreeness of the Brazilians asserts itself, they are favourites. But for me Brazil is the top favourite, more than Spain. The expectations in Brazil are incredibly high.

Everybody is persuaded that they will get the cup. Whether they stand firm to the pressure, one will see. In addition there comes other co-favourites: I believe Germany, Italy, but not England. I hold the South Americans very strongly, not only Brazil.

What of the African teams in the World Cup?

Considering the fact that no African team has reached the semi-final although they all play in Europe and have learnt that football is a team’s sport, their kind of play in the team is mostly individualistic. This is their biggest old problem.

Are we likely to see a candidature of Franz Beckenbauer for FIFA presidency:

In football I had all positions, I was in the FIFA executive. I know that many people say, Pele or me would be an ideal president of FIFA. But when I look into the eyes of my family, the children, the decision is clear: No – all people want go into the FIFA, but I went out.

About the World Cup 2022 in Qatar – winter or summer?

In summer you cant play there. You must cool up the stadia which will cost million of dollars. This is not necessary. They shall make a schedule in winter, because in winter the temperature is normal and then it is possible to play. So, I think, this World Cup can only take place in winter time.

Let me get a bit personal –You have a new look what’s with the beard?

We were in Africa on Safari – in the bush you do not shave every day. So I kinda liked how I look with the beard. But soon I will shave it – my family is pushing me to shave the beard.