World Cup finalist Wesley Sneijder has had his say on whom he expects to challenge for next year’s crown, and it’s not good news for England fans after Friday’s group draw
Former Netherlands international Wesley Sneijder doesn’t rate England‘s chances of making it past the quarter-finals at the 2026 World Cup. And although he believes Thomas Tuchel has “an incredible team” at his disposal, his attention lies elsewhere when it comes to his predictions for the final four.
Sneijder, 41, was at the peak of his powers when he played a starring role in reaching the 2010 World Cup final. And he almost helped end the Dutch hoodoo in the global tournament before being undone by a Spain side that’s regularly discussed as arguably the best team of all time.
England learnt their World Cup fate on Friday when the group-stage draw took place in Washington. And the Three Lions will have to claw and scratch their way into the knockout stages after being allocated in Group L opposite Croatia, Ghana and Panama.
Sneijder didn’t yet know that group placement when he cast his projections for whom will make up the finalists in the United States next summer. And England’s difficult pathway may have only further convinced him Tuchel’s side won’t advance as far as the last four.
“Portugal, Spain, France, and Brazil,” he told Spanish newspaper Marca when asked which teams he expects to make next year’s semis. “I didn’t mention England because the competition is much tougher now.
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“They’re all very close together. It’s going to be crazy. England also has an incredible team. As does the Netherlands. They’re very good. But I have to choose four teams for the semi-finals, and this is what I think.”
The Three Lions have twice made it to the semis of a World Cup since their sole title win back in 1966. Bobby Robson was in charge when a tragic shootout loss to Germany knocked them out in the last four at Italia ’90, while Gareth Southgate led the team to another fourth-place finish 28 years later.
And while Sneijder’s strongest leanings lie elsewhere, he was far from discounting England altogether as he continued: “England can reach the semi-finals. Argentina too, with a bit of luck. If Germany gets back on track, who knows?”
England will have revenge in mind given it was Croatia who knocked them out of the 2018 World Cup semis after extra time. Topping the group will also be critical considering second place yields a tougher fixture against the Group K runner-up, followed by a meeting with the winner of Group H, which is all but certain to be Spain.
It’s worth highlighting Sneijder also didn’t name his home nation as a semi-final contender. From that, one can only judge the former Inter Milan and Real Madrid talisman is being fair and honest in his calculations.
England fans can also take heart from the fact he omitted reigning champions Argentina from his prediction despite them dominating CONMEBOL qualifying. Lionel Messi is heading towards what may be his final World Cup, though the eight-time Ballon d’Or-winner has hinted he may not play at the tournament as planned.
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