Gary Lineker feels the 2026 World Cup final is essentially already set, and England will find it "very difficult" to get there.
England scraped through their round of 32 match against DR Congo on Wednesday. The Three Lions were 1-0 down until the 75th minute, before Harry Kane scored twice to set up a meeting with Mexico in the next round.
There are already fears that the hosts' record at the Azteca, a stadium at great altitude, puts them as favourites, and should England get past them, they're still not being given a great chance of success.
Victory would set up a quarter-final against Brazil, and Argentina feel the likeliest semi-final opponents beyond that.
Former Three Lions striker Lineker feels it'll be a struggle to even get to that point, but France, on the other side of the draw, should have no problems seeing off England.
He said on The Rest Is Football: "Most of us thought France could implode because that’s happened at times historically. But they seem to be really together.
"I honestly think it’s going to be incredibly difficult for any team to compete with them never mind beat them.
"Kylian Mbappe is obviously France’s superstar but you can’t just crowd around him because then they’ve got [Michael] Olise, [Ousmane] Dembele, [Bradley] Barcola, [Desire] Doue, [Rayan] Cherki.
"You just think it’s hard to look beyond them unless they pick up a couple of injuries to the superstars because they’re just breathtaking.
"I mean, who can stop them? I don’t think there’s any conceivable way they won’t get to the semi-finals.
"At that point they will likely face Spain, who haven’t looked great so far. Maybe they can grow into the tournament.
"Possibly Spain would have some kind of chance if they find the form of two years ago. But I would say Argentina are the ones.
"It will be very difficult for England, I have to say. I’m feeling like there will be a replay of the final in Qatar from four years ago."
France couldn't overcome Argentina
In that final in 2022, despite a hat-trick from now the World Cup's second-top scorer in history, Mbappe, France were unable to overcome Argentina.
After a 3-3 draw following extra time, Argentina won 4-2 on penalties, and should the final be repeated, France will be looking to exact revenge.
The two nations have been the best sides this tournament, so we could be in line for another cracker if we get there.
