Taha Ismail, director of the FIFA Office for Football Development in Egypt, said that both teams have many excellent players but Italy stands more of a chance of winning.

"I can predict that this match will be one of the toughest in the tournament," said technical director of the African Football Federation Abdel Moneim Shata.

But he won't forecast who will win.

Former chairman of the Egyptian Football Association Hamada Imam believes France will win, given the team's performance against Spain, Brazil and Portugal.

Sports analyst Alaa Sadeq and international soccer expert Amr Abu el-Magd believe that Italy with their strong defence and unrelenting attack will defeat France.

Veteran player Magdi Abdel Ghani believes France and Italy have an equal chance of winning the match.

"I expect the final outcome will be decided by a penalty shoot-out," Abdel Ghani said.

Sunday's World Cup final will be the second game to be broadcasted for Egyptians nationwide, many of whom are crazy about football and the World Cup. The first game aired by Egypian TV was the third-place play-off between Germany and Portugal on Saturday.

Earlier, the Egyptian Radio and TV Union and Arab Radio and Television, the exclusive broadcaster of the World Cup 2006 in the region, reached an agreement to air the two matches for free, Egyptian Information Minister Ahmad Nabih el-Fekki said.