Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has identified England as one of the three leading contenders to win the World Cup, alongside Spain and France. The Three Lions are among the bookmakers' top picks for the tournament, following a series of near misses under former manager Sir Gareth Southgate.
Southgate's England reached back-to-back European Championship finals, losing to Italy on penalties in 2021 and suffering a narrow defeat to Spain in 2024. The team also progressed deep into two World Cups under Southgate, reaching the semi-finals in 2018 and the quarter-finals in the previous tournament four years ago.
Rooney's Favourites
Many pundits have tipped England to go one step further in the United States under Thomas Tuchel and lift the World Cup for the first time in 60 years. Rooney insists England are among his top three favourites but also gives significant chances to France and Spain.
France reached the World Cup final in Qatar before losing a heartbreaking penalty shootout to Argentina. Spain, meanwhile, enter the tournament as reigning European champions, having beaten England in the 2024 final in Berlin.
'I think you have to look at Spain, France and England,' Rooney told BBC Sport. 'I think they're probably favourites for this World Cup. I think England and Spain will make the final, and hopefully England win it.'
Other Predictions
Former England defender Conor Coady is also optimistic about England's chances, stating: 'I truly believe England have a real chance. We have the best striker in the world in my opinion, a player of his calibre with the confidence he has and the bit between his teeth to win something with England is a scary thought for other countries.'
Coady added: 'My other team is Germany, I think they have a very good manager in Julian Nagelsmann and can always see them getting to the latter stages. My dark horse is Senegal, I know the AFCON ended up in difficult circumstances but the way they played in Qatar and then at AFCON really impressed me, they have some top quality players and are used to winning.'
However, former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud does not view England as one of the two strongest teams at the World Cup. 'For me the two strongest teams are France and Spain,' said Giroud, who has been announced as one of BBC Sport's pundits for the tournament. 'But will they meet each other in the final or before? That will be the question. One of the African teams can be the surprise team. Maybe Ivory Coast, Senegal or Ghana – they are all dangerous teams on their day.'
England begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia on Wednesday night, followed by group matches against Ghana and Panama. Argentina are the defending champions after beating France on penalties in the 2022 final in Qatar.
