Roy Keane revealed why England will struggle at World Cup as three favourites named

Roy Keane has already revealed why he believes England may struggle at the 2026 FIFA World Cup while also naming who he believes will win the tournament.

Thomas Tuchel’s side are currently in Florida as they gear up for the tournament by taking part in warm-up matches against New Zealand and Costa Rica.

England will then get their tournament underway against Group L opponents Croatia on June 17 before taking on Ghana and Panama.

The Three Lions, given the talent in the squad, should progress to the knockout stages, with a round of 32 set to feature this time around due to the expanded 48-team format.

If England win their group, they will then face one of the eight best third-placed teams from Groups E, H, I, J or K.

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Theoretically, this would be a so-called lesser opponent, with Cape Verde, Curaçao, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, DR Congo and Uzbekistan among their potential round-of-32 opponents. However, they could end up facing Norway, who boast Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard.

A round-of-16 clash against one of several nations, including Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, the Czech Republic, Scotland and Japan, would follow before Tuchel’s side are potentially tested against five-time champions Brazil in the quarter-finals. A semi-final against Argentina or Portugal could then come next.

The Three Lions could then face either France or Spain in the final on July 19.

Of course, the aforementioned run-in is purely theoretical, but former Republic of Ireland international and ITV Sport World Cup pundit Keane thinks England may struggle against the so-called bigger nations.

Speaking to The Sun, Keane explained that he believes France, Spain or reigning champions Argentina are his favourites to lift the trophy.

“The French, that squad’s fantastic,” he said.

“Spain, with the conditions over there, the way they look after the ball and how brilliant they were at the Euros, if they can back that up, which I’m sure they can.

“I’m going to throw Argentina in there as well. Obviously, one of the South Americans will always turn up.”

The former United skipper then turned his attention to England, admitting that he is concerned about the Three Lions due to their vulnerability in defence.

“I’m worried about England defensively,” he added.

“I can’t shake that off. I just think defensively, in the knockout stages against a top nation, that’s what could hold England back.

“They obviously have a brilliant player in Kane.

“I think when you’ve got Kane, you are always in with a chance, but I think defensively they might come up short.”

England 26-man World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Man City).

Defenders: Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), John Stones (Man City), Marc Guehi (Man City), Dan Burn (Newcastle), Nico O'Reilly (Man City), Djed Spence (Tottenham), Tino Livramento (Newcastle).

Midfielders: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Kobbie Mainoo (Man Utd), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal).

Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ivan Toney (Al Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), Anthony Gordon (Barcelona), Noni Madueke (Arsenal).