2026 FIFA World Cup: Wenger predicts France attack led by Mbappe will give them the trophy
Football icon Arsene Wenger claims England could win the World Cup but admits the Three Lions are not as good as France.
England will discover their opponents on Friday for next summer’s tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada, with the draw due to start at 5 pm.
Former Arsenal boss Wenger, now FIFA’s chief of global football development, said: “England are one of the favourites of the World Cup.
“They are always nearly there. And they have to make the step. They have the quality to win.
“By trying to be as objective as possible, I think France are the super favourites. Just for one reason.
“They have more world-class strikers than any other country. To have such a bench and such quality will make the difference.”
France, who boast the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Hugo Ekitike, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani, are one of the top four seeds alongside England, and the two countries cannot meet each other until the final.
American football legend Alexi Lalas, meanwhile, is hoping England will not win the World Cup.
During the tournament, on July 4, the United States will celebrate its 250th year since gaining independence from Great Britain.
Lalas, who played 96 times for the States, said: “As an American here, it pains me to say this publicly, but England are really good.
“And they are coming over here next summer to the World Cup, on our 250th birthday.
“If it is coming home next summer on our shores, we cannot have that.
“We can absolutely not have that, but they are very, very good.”
England manager Thomas Tuchel arrived on Thursday for the draw, which should take about 90 minutes to complete.
