Gary Neville picks the one team that can beat France and win the World Cup.
France moved closer to winning the 2026 World Cup with an easy 3-0 win over Sweden in the first knockout round on Tuesday night. Kylian Mbappe scored twice, and Bradley Barcola added another, showing why Didier Deschamps’ team is one of the top favorites to lift the trophy this month.
They could have scored even more, thanks to an impressive first half that saw them hit the post twice and have a goal ruled out by a close offside call. Next, France will play Paraguay in the last 16. The winner will face either Canada or Morocco in the quarter-finals. France is also favored to win any semi-final against teams like Portugal, Croatia, Spain, Austria, the USA, Bosnia, Belgium, or Senegal. This means France can only meet strong teams like Brazil, Argentina, or England in the final.
While talented teams like Spain and Portugal could still shine, France is the only team on their side of the draw that looks like a real threat to win so far. Having reached the final in the last two World Cups, France’s coach, Deschamps, seems ready for another strong run. Football legend Gary Neville also believes France will make it to the final again.
Speaking on ITV Sport, Neville said the only team that might stop France is Argentina, thanks to their toughness and experience. “That’s the only team right now with the unity to stand in front of France,” he said. “Of course, England, Spain, or Portugal might improve and challenge. Let’s hope so.”
After Paraguay surprised many by beating Germany on penalties—Germany’s first ever shootout loss in the World Cup—France now prepares for a tough match against them. On Tuesday, France also made history by becoming the first nation to win seven straight World Cup games against UEFA teams. They’ll likely need to keep this streak going to reach the final.
Plus, France became the first team to score three goals in five World Cup games in a row, adding another impressive record to their tournament.