Micah Richards is tipping Brazil or France to secure World Cup glory this summer 60 years of hurt continues for England.
This summer’s revamped tournament kicks off on Thursday with Mexico vs South Africa the first of a staggering 104 games taking place over the next month.
Argentina are back to defend their crown after beating France on penalties in Qatar four years ago with Les Blues desperate to repeat their 2018 success.
Lucas Hernandez, Kylian Mbappe and N’Golo Kante are the only survivors from the starting XI that beat Croatia in that final in Russia but their attack is now more fearsome than ever with Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Michael Olise threatening to blow the opposition away.
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Behind that unit, Kante is out to prove he is still a force at 35 and with emerging stars like Warren Zaïre-Emery and Manu Kone stepping up, Didier Deschamps’ side are as formidable as ever.
Brazil meanwhile have turned to one of the all-time greats of club football to end their 24-year wait for a World Cup in Carlo Ancelotti. Neymar is along for the party once again, although a calf injury means he might have to wait a few weeks to make his impact.
The blistering heat across Mexico, Canada and the United States will have its own role to play with former England and Manchester City star Richards believing whoever keeps the ball best stands the best chance of winning it.
‘Neymar’s presence huge for Brazil’
With Euro 2024 champions Spain also in his thinking, Richards told Metro: ‘Something is telling me Brazil are going to show up and have a very good World Cup. I feel Neymar coming back into the squad gives them a huge lift. With all the pressure they are under he gives them that confidence and personality. It should serve them well.
‘France with that forward line are up there too – people talk about their midfield [being weaker compared to 2018] but Kone in midfield is outstanding. Zaïre-Emery has excelled there and in other positions. Kante is still there and you know you are going to get hard work. With all the talent in front, you need people behind them who know what needs to be done.’
‘Tuchel is a genius’
Under Gareth Southgate, England reached a semi-final and a final in major international competitions before being eliminated at the quarter-final stage at the last World Cup. The torch was passed to Thomas Tuchel last year with hope a man who made huge calls on the biggest stages with Borussia Dortmund, PSG, Bayern and Chelsea can be at his bravest and boldest this summer.
‘I have full trust in Tuchel,’ Richards said. ‘Southgate did a fantastic job but it was some of those in-game, tactical substitutions and decisions and whether he made those at the right time [that cost him]. I think Tuchel is a genius at that. He knows best how to set up within a game and has picked a squad for that.
‘That’s where Tuchel is at his best and that comes with experience. He knows how to deal with these things in high level games and that is where he will be at his best. he knows and feels what the game needs at the right time.’
Even with some notable omissions, the Three Lions have one of the strongest squads in the tournament, led by the most in-form striker in the game in Harry Kane.
‘When you look at our starting line-up, I think we have a really good chance,’ Richards said. ‘But I feel everyone has to play to their best of their capabilities. In some other teams you might be able to carry someone. Kylian Mbappe might not do the work off the ball but on the ball you know he will come up with that moment of magic.
‘With England at times, too many players have been playing in their shell. Jude Bellingham has had those big moments, but who else? We need more players like that with personality to say “this is our time”.
‘I’ll always be confident of England getting to the semi-finals but they all need to be at their best – if one of them is off, no, I don’t think it comes home.’
Micah Richards has teamed up with meat snack brand Peperami for its Be Bold. Be Meaty campaign. He is fronting a major social-first content series set to air during the World Cup, as well as supporting the launch of the new Peperami x Doritos BBQ Sweet Tang limited edition range.