The 2026 FIFA World Cup has been absolutely amazing. There were 48 teams to begin with and the final four consists of the sides that sit from one to four in the world rankings. As a whole, FIFA couldn’t have wished for anything better! It is a testament to the quality of the tournament that the cream has risen to the top, setting the stage for two high-stakes semi-final encounters.
I am very pleased that England are in the semi-finals. But in terms of the performance, it wasn’t great to be honest. I thought we would dominate Norway and I was expecting a much more comfortable progression. In fact, it was a little bit the other way around at times, which is concerning when you look at the level of opposition remaining in the competition.
I’ve said it many times, teams win you leagues and X-factors win you tournaments. One of our X-factors, Jude Bellingham, turned up the other day and it worked. On that note, let us dive straight into my predictions for the FIFA World Cup semi-finals. You don’t want to miss these games; they are mouth-watering at the highest level, featuring top players all over the pitch.
If I had to pick a winner for France vs. Spain, I would have to go with Spain. I just don’t see where France get the ball! I think France’s forward line will have to drop a lot deeper than usual. Usually, when the other team loses the ball, it is one pass and France are through on goal, but in this game, it won’t be the same. Spain will just keep the ball so well. They don’t see how France don’t win this one if it gets to one of them gung-ho games like the one these two teams played in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals last year, but I expect a more controlled approach.
It is true that France have more firepower, but if this gets into a more cagey and possession-based game, I have a feeling that Spain will win. France can only play one way in my opinion. When their goalkeeper gets the ball, he gives it to Jules Kounde, who runs 50 yards with it straightaway. Then obviously they have to cover longer distances to counter-attack as well. He sprints into space, but Spain’s structure is designed to stifle that.
The fact that Spain have beaten France in their last two meetings will give confidence to Luis de la Fuente’s men. The big battle, for me, will be in midfield. We saw Fabian Ruiz come in for Pedri in Spain’s quarter-final win over Belgium and he scored. It just shows that Spain have so many options. My only concern with Spain is whether Mikel Oyarzabal can hurt France. Don’t get me wrong, I like him as a player but does he strike fear into the minds of France’s centre-backs?
Lamine Yamal will play a massive role for Spain in this game. I touched upon how Spain must keep the ball to win the game. But after they keep the ball, they need to be decisive. France don’t double up on players. They have that confidence to go, ‘you know what? we have defenders and they are good enough to take care of their one-on-one battles.’ Let us also not forget that Spain have Rodri in midfield. He’s an absolute must for this game against France. Rodri plays that position as good as anybody. This has to be a game where Spain have at least 60 per cent possession to win.
I can’t wait for the England vs. Argentina game. This is a massive, massive football match. Argentina don’t like England. I played in the 1998 World Cup game where we lost to them on penalties. I still remember it vividly. After the game, the two coaches were parked next to each other and we were just sitting inside waiting to leave. The Argentina players had their shirts off and were celebrating. No team wants to lose a World Cup semi-final, but this game feels like two old enemies going up against each other.
Argentina are a bit like us at the moment. They are not playing great football and are just getting through games. When you take that into consideration, I believe it will be entertaining. I’d say the biggest vulnerability England have at the moment is how we play when we don’t have the ball. If I’m being honest, I don’t think we can stop a player like Lionel Messi if we are not disciplined.
After the win against Norway, Thomas Tuchel spoke about how he was unhappy with the performance from the team. As England head coach, Tuchel has every right to be critical. I’m fortunate enough to go on holiday in Orlando and it is indeed very humid out there. For them to play 90 minutes and then extra-time, it is difficult like Bellingham said. Tuchel is looking at the all-round picture and he’s thinking if we keep on playing like this, we can’t win it.
Tuchel is a top manager, this man is elite level and that’s why England brought him in. He’s there to win the World Cup with this team. It’s not like how it was over the years where we just hoped for the best. He is tactical, he is demanding, and he knows exactly what is required to beat a side like Argentina in a high-pressure environment.
I would 100 per cent go with Reece James at right-back. He’s probably one of the best players in the world in his position when he’s fit. If we can get the balance right, I think we have a real chance. I don’t see anybody sitting back and 10 behind the ball here; this will be an open, tactical battle that will define our tournament.
If it gets to one of them gung-ho games like the one these two teams played in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals (Spain 5-4 France) last year, I don’t see how France don’t win this one.
Even in the last two games where France won 1-0 and 2-0, the other teams did not lay a glove on them.
If Aurelien Tchouameni is fit, he will start.
But if it’s Adrien Rabiot and Manu Kone, they could struggle against Spain.
It’s the same for Michael Olise against Marc Cucurella as well.
Declan Rice’s fitness is a bit of a problem for me.
If he’s unavailable, Bellingham may have to drop back in with Elliot Anderson.
If those runs get taken away, more of the X-factor goes.
Kane has not got a hat-trick in a World Cup final like Sir Geoff Hurst but he is still the greatest English striker for me.
It would be a worry for me if the England game went to penalties because of Emi Martinez.
