Soccer: Crowe gives his World Cup tips

CANNES - Oscar winner Russell Crowe might be promoting his latest blockbuster Robin Hood at the Cannes Film Festival, but his thoughts are still on football.

Crowe, who owns the South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby league club, spent a few minutes during his press conference for Robin Hood on Wednesday giving a cheeky run down on his tips for the soccer World Cup in June to hundreds of journalists.

Fresh from meeting star players from La Liga superstars Real Madrid in late April, Crowe said he believed Spain, England and Portugal all had a good chance of winning the world's biggest sporting event - but not as good as Australia's own Socceroos.

"I'm really looking forward to the World Cup," Crowe said.

"I believe in my mind that maybe Spain, maybe Brazil," Crowe said.

"Portugal has the great opportunity of (striker) Cristiano Ronaldo, if he's in good form.

"England always come up with a good team, but there may be a defence issue there, there maybe a goalie issue. Maybe (striker) Wayne Rooney, who's going to partner him up front? And (David) Beckham's injured.

"And of course, really, they have no chance against a resurgent Australian team."

Crowe is in the French Riviera resort town with Aussie co-star Cate Blanchett to open the 12-day film festival with a screening of Robin Hood on Wednesday night.

- AAP