Diego Maradona says Brazil are firm favorites to win next year's FIFA World Cup on home soil.

And the 1986 World Cup winner predicts a poor showing from European nations during football's showpiece tournament, to be played from June 12 to July 13.

"Brazil won't have anybody to match them during the World Cup," Maradona said during a press conference.

"We all saw what happened in the Confederations Cup. The European teams drop a level when they play in South America."

The former Napoli and Boca Juniors star also renewed his feud with Argentine Football Association president Julio Grondona, calling for the 81-year-old to step down.

Maradona has been outspoken in his criticism of Grondona since he was sacked as national coach after the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

"There is a mafia in Argentina's national team and it is causing Argentine football to die slowly," the 52-year-old said.

"We cannot have Grondona here for 700 years and at an age in which he has no new ideas. There is no question the players do what they can. The problem is with the officials."

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