FORMER Swindon Town midfielder Fitzroy Simpson is no stranger to the World Cup after featuring in Jamaica’s only appearance at the finals at France 98.

The County Ground favourite, who earned 36 caps for the Reggae Boyz, scoring three international goals, started all three of Jamaica’s group stage games 16 years ago, with Simpson helping his side become the smallest nation to score and win a game at the World Cup when they beat Japan 2-1 in Lyon.

Simpson, who was born in Bradford on Avon and now lives in Swindon, turned his eye to this summer’s tournament in Brazil to tell us his World Cup predictions.

Who do you think will win this summer’s World Cup?

Brazil. I think that the expectation for them to win it in Brazil will just be huge and they have to be the favourites.

They’ve got so much attacking talent and I think that leaving out a player like (Phillipe) Coutinho just shows how strong they are.

It’s a knockout tournament and I think the usual suspects like Spain, Germany and Argentina will all be there but you’d have to go with Brazil – it’s important that they start well though.

Who are your dark horses for the tournament?

I think that Uruguay could be a dangerous team in Brazil. They’re South American and I think that any team with Luis Suárez is dangerous.

I also think that Belgium, who’ve got Eden Hazard, are looking strong but they will be missing (Christian) Benteke.

How do you think England will fare in Brazil?

I actually think England could be a bit of a surprise package. As long as they give youth a chance, then it will be great preparation for the Euros.

I think it’s important that the likes of (Raheem) Sterling, (Daniel) Sturridge get minutes out there – and hopefully Ross Barkley too.

But I really don’t think that there’s anything stopping England pulling off a few surprises.

Just how great was it to play for Jamaica at France 98?

It was fantastic. We were lucky to have so much talent coming through at the same time but it was an incredible experience and I’ve still got the shirt and everything else in the loft.

We’re going through a bit of a rebuilding process at the moment and we’ve got a lot of young players who have moved to the MLS (Major League Soccer) and are playing in places like Sweden and Denmark.

Hopefully some of those young players will develop enough for us to get there again.