Ling, sporting a yellow Brazil jersey, was trying to sell pals Basil Metcalfe, 16, and Robert Allen, 17, on the virtues of buying such a shirt as the three sifted through various World Cup gear at a downtown Toronto sporting goods store.

"Brazil is going to smoke everyone," Ling boasted. "Brazil all the way."

Brazil, the defending World Cup champion, sits atop Group F with an unblemished 2-0 record and has secured a spot in the second round.

Allen, however, isn't so sure.

"I watched Spain win (a 3-1 decision over Tunisia on Monday) and they looked like they could be a dangerous team," he said.

The Spanish are definitely a World Cup contender, having already qualified for the next round after two straight victories to stand first in Group H.

Canadians surveyed were divided when asked which team they wanted to see win the World Cup. The poll suggested 15 per cent supported Brazil while 13 per cent favoured England.

Italy was a distant third with eight per cent support, followed by Germany (six per cent), Argentina (four per cent) and France and Portugal (both with three per cent).

Canadian female soccer fans also have a favourite team. The poll suggests women were three times more likely than men to root for Italy, and Anderson said their interest wasn't necessarily based solely on the Italians' play on the pitch.

"I'm not sure I could make the case based on these numbers that women have really studied the differentiated soccer skills of the teams," Anderson said with a chuckle. "I think they're pretty happy how that team comes across overall."