Will England win the World Cup? Experts predict if football is coming home | OneFootball

England begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia on June 17

The World Cup is finally upon us as the hopes of the nation rest on the shoulders of England’s stars across the pond.

Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel has said that him and his squad are “daring to dream”, and those back in Blighty are of similar mindset.

As ever, England are among the favourites to lift the famous trophy, but in their way stand reigning champions Argentina, France’s fearsome attack (and midfield, and defence) and the daunting might of Spain... and 44 other nations in the biggest tournament in history.

A route to the final has been mapped out, and co-hosts Mexico and then Brazil are expected to stand in England’s way before the semi-finals.

So, how will England fare? We asked our experts...

London Standard

Dom Smith

England correspondent

A 48-team World Cup means 16 more participating nations than normal, but the contenders to win are the same old bunch as ever.

That includes England, of course. Ranked fourth in the world, they boast the world’s best striker in Harry Kane and a manager of genuine pedigree. They have also reached the final of both of the last two European Championships so know how to go far in tournaments. Thomas Tuchel is in the building to help take that final step.

In the punishing heat, I’m not so confident, though. Win their group and get through the last 32, and they would be scheduled to meet Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City at 7,000 feet. I’d just about back them to win that and then knock out Brazil in a humid Miami. But overcoming that immense Portugal midfield in the semi-final could be a step too far and England could bow out there.

France have the hardest run of any big team but will still reach the other semi-final. Their opponents will be Belgium, who aren’t the force they used to be but who have a very kind route and who I just fancy to stun Spain in the quarters.

I make Ecuador the dark horses, though this is quite clearly the best Japan team in history, even after accounting for Kaoru Mitoma’s absence.

Matt Verri

Football reporter

England should be comfortable enough in progressing through their group and a generous last-32 tie. However, their World Cup could well end shortly after that. The performances in the last international break were alarmingly poor and in sweltering conditions this summer, tired minds and exhausted bodies could be exposed.

A potential last-16 showdown with Mexico at the Azteca Stadium looms and I can see that being where Thomas Tuchel's side fall to a shock defeat and are sent packing. France and Spain appear to have it all and should both ease through to the semi-finals.

Portugal's midfield can take them deep too and I'm backing Carlo Ancelotti to lead Brazil in completing the semi-final lineup. Spain and Portugal, both able to control matches on the ball and suffocate their opponents in the heat, will meet in the final.

Carlo Ancelotti takes charge of a Brazil team searching for their first World Cup triumph 2002

The narrative around Cristiano Ronaldo lifting the World Cup will reach truly unbearable levels. He will be denied and Spain will instead be crowned world champions for the second time.

If this tournament does turn into a test of endurance, Ecuador are set up to grind it out. Goals can be a problem but they’ve conceded just seven times in 20 matches under Sebastian Beccacece and are on a 19-match unbeaten run. Moises Caicedo, Piero Hincapie, Pacho - nobody will enjoy playing them.

Arthur Ferridge

World Cup correspondent

With FIFA's new group stage safety nets in place, it would take a biblical capitulation for England not to make it to the knockout stages - but that is another story entirely.

Even if Thomas Tuchel's side top Group L, the likes of Mexico and Senegal could await in the rounds of 32 and 16, with Brazil or the Netherlands further up the road. It is just too tricky a run, and the Three Lions will surely stumble sooner or later - perhaps as early as the round of 16.

France and Spain have such well-rounded squads and strength in depth that they should both cruise to the semi-finals, but I see a vitriolic clash between Argentina and Brazil on the opposite half.

A repeat of the 2022 final may well be on the cards, then, and France will get their own back under the beating New York sun, perhaps via another Michael Olise hat-trick.

I am backing Ghana to bring a certain chaos factor to the World Cup. They come in as something of an unknown quantity having only played once under pragmatic new manager Carlos Quieroz and could well upset the order in Group L.

Oli Gent

Sports reporter

After what is likely to be a cagey opener against Croatia, Thomas Tuchel’s England should breeze past Ghana and Panama with relative ease to secure a place in the knockout stages.

I have them meeting Norway in the first knockout round, where Erling Haaland could play the perfect pantomime villain. I think the Three Lions scrape through that challenge, which would then tee up a potential last 16 encounter with co-hosts Mexico, which could present a trickier challenge than many think, especially if ‘El Tri’ have home advantage, and Raul Jimenez channels his 2019-20 goalscoring form.

Tuchel’s men should have too much star quality for Javier Aguirre’s side, but again, it won’t be a pretty watch. I have Portugal, heavily fancied by some, falling in the quarter-finals as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo lock horns for one final time on the global stage, but there will be no World Cup fairytale for the Portuguese as there was for the greatest to ever do it.

Last dance: Cristiano Ronaldo

Getty

The last eight is unfortunately where I see England falling too. I have them up against Brazil, and while on paper, you could make the argument that the Three Lions’ squad is far stronger, it is the big-game nous that Carlo Ancelotti and his Selecao stars have that I think will be England’s undoing.

I can see the Netherlands making a run to the quarter-finals, easing past Morocco and South Korea before bowing out to France, but I think this will be Spain’s year once more, led by their shining light, Lamine Yamal.

Ronan Sullivan

Sports reporter

I expect England to sail through as group winners and then a last-32 clash against Senegal. Facing co-hosts Mexico at the high-altitude Azteca Stadium in Mexico City does not bode well - but Thomas Tuchel’s side should squeeze through a tempestuous encounter on penalties.

Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil then await the Three Lions in the quarter-finals and - thanks to a last-minute Neymar goal in extra-time - end England’s tournament before the semi-finals.

A seismic South American clash is scheduled against Argentina. Lionel Messi and Argentina feel destiny on their side again as the superstar’s goal sees off the Selecao, while France beat Spain to set up a repeat of that Qatar 2022 final. Captain Kylian Mbappe scores an unanswered brace either side of half-time as Les Bleus get revenge, allowing the Real Madrid forward to lift the famous trophy at the MetLife Stadium.