he's following Argentina.

The Taoiseach told the Sunday Tribune this weekend that he will be backing the boys in blue and white when the biggest sports tournament in the world kicks off in Germany in three weeks.

"I will be cheering for Argentina, " said Ahern. "They have a lot of good, young upand-coming players who I like, players like Saviola, Riquelme and Messi, to name but a few."

While increasing numbers of Irish people are opting to follow England, the Taoiseach is pinning his colours on the South Americans to bring World Cup glory back to Argentina for the first time since Maradona led his side to glory in 1986. However, Ahern agrees that the trophy could yet find itself across the Irish Sea.

"I think England will do very well in the World Cup", he said. "A lot depends on the fitness of Rooney and Owen . . .

if they are fit, I think they will make a big impact. Overall, I'm just looking forward to the tournament."

While Ireland failed to qualify for the World Cup, each of the 32 countries to make it to Germany have communities living in Ireland. From the 116,206 Polish people to the 22 Paraguayans, each World Cup nation is represented here.

In total, almost 400,000 people living in Ireland hail from the 32 countries which will compete in the tournament.

John O'Shea, chief executive of aid agency Goal:

"It makes sense that we should want our closest neighbours to do well, so I think we should hope England do well. Unfortunately, I don't think they have any chance. It is remarkable that Eriksson is managing the team knowing that he is being let go after the tournament. How can his heart be in it? And that's not even mentioning his complete lack of ability.

"I think Brazil will win it, purely because of Ronaldihno."

Olivia O'Toole, Irish international footballer and record goal scorer:

"I know we're not really supposed to follow England but I'd like to see them do well. We cheer their players every week in the premiership so I don't see why we wouldn't want them to do well in the World Cup. I wouldn't say I'll be cheering for them but I'd like to see them win it.

"I think the USA are a good outside bet too, certainly to get as far as the quarter or semi-"nals."

Dave Fanning, RTE presenter:

"I'm not too sure who I'd fancy to win it. There's probably no point in studying the form guide . . . look at what happened to France in 2002.

There's no team I'd be cheering for. Some people are saying England are better than usual and others are saying they're useless. They have a smaller pool of players to choose from these days because of all the foreigners in the premiership. Back in 1966, pretty much all the players at club level were English, now it's 40%."

Ollie Byrne, chief executive Shelbourne FC:

"I won't be following any team at the World Cup. I'll watch as many games as I can but I only have one af"liation in football and that's to Shelbourne.

I just hope that for the good of the game it is a good tournament and the most skilful side comes out on top.

"It's disappointing that Ireland didn't qualify but perhaps our aspirations have been built on false hope. Maybe people in this country think that we are better than we are."

Sean Crowe, Sinn Fein TD:

"I think I'd like to see Poland do well. There are 100,000 Polish people in Ireland now so it would be nice to see them progress. Other than that, I'm going to watch the "rst round of games before deciding on which team I like.

"I don't think England will do very well. That's not an anti-English thing, I just don't think they have the players to do well.

"I think it will be won by one of the Latin American countries."

Kathryn Thomas, RTE travel guru:

"We are talking about football, aren't we? As we're not in it, I'm going to have to say Brazil. I was there a couple of years ago . . . no matter where you went, whether it was into the rainforest or on to Copacabana beach, the one thing that everyone had in common was that they all had a football. A country so passionate about it deserves to win. I won't be wearing the shirt though . . . yellow really isn't my colour."

Paidi O Se, GAA legend:

"I don't follow soccer but I'm sure I'll get into the swing of things. My only interest in soccer is watching how the Irish players are getting on in the premiership. I'm hoping England do well in the World Cup, I'll certainly be cheering for them. I think they didn't do themselves justice in the last few World Cups they were in so hopefully they will win this one.

"I think a lot of Irish people pretend that they don't follow England but deep down they want them to do well."

Pat Rabbitte, Labour leader "I'll be shouting for England. Irish people have a huge interest in the premiership, so their players are the ones we're most familiar with. For that reason I'll be following them most closely. Their chances of actually winning the tournament suffered a serious setback when Wayne Rooney got injured. Unless he makes a miraculous recovery, England's prospects are not great.

"I fancy Brazil to win. As hosts, Germany could be the dark horses."