Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has delivered a stark assessment of England's chances at the next World Cup, labelling the national side as 'nearly men' who must finally clear the final hurdle.
Wenger's Warning to England
Speaking in Washington ahead of the 2026 World Cup draw, the FIFA Chief of Global Football Development pointed to England's recent record of reaching semi-finals, quarter-finals, and the final itself as evidence of a team that is perpetually close but ultimately falls short. 'They have to make the next step. They have the quality to do it,' Wenger stated, while stopping short of naming them as outright favourites.
The French football legend emphasised the psychological barrier England faces, suggesting that past failures can impact belief. 'There is one thing that is important in life is that you know you can do it … when you have done something, it gives you something extra, the belief that you can do it,' he explained.
Why France Are The 'Super Favourites'
In a candid moment, Wenger backed his home nation, France, to lift the trophy in 2026. He declared them the 'super favourites' from Europe, citing their unparalleled depth in attacking talent as the decisive factor.
'It is the country which has more world-class strikers than any other country in the world,' Wenger said, referencing stars like Kylian Mbappe and Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele. He argued that with four knockout rounds, the quality of a team's bench becomes critical, an area where he believes France holds a significant advantage. He also noted that France's back-to-back appearances in the last two World Cup finals provides them with invaluable winning experience.
FIFA's Lessons from the Club World Cup
Beyond the tournament favourites, Wenger addressed operational concerns for the 2026 event, which will be hosted across the USA, Canada, and Mexico. He pledged that FIFA has learned from criticisms of the recent Club World Cup, also held in the United States.
He acknowledged issues with pitch quality, where surfaces had not been used for two months prior to the competition, and problems with extreme heat. 'We will consider a lot the best possibilities for the teams to be protected from heat,' Wenger confirmed, outlining plans for scheduled hydration breaks during matches.
The former Gunners boss admitted that weather, particularly in cities like Miami and Atlanta, remains an uncertainty, but vowed that FIFA would do the maximum to protect both the competition's integrity and player welfare. Details on specific venues and kick-off times were due to be confirmed following the draw on Saturday.
