Formula One world champion Max Verstappen is not convinced England will end their long wait for World Cup glory, with the Dutch driver instead backing France to lift the 2026 World Cup trophy.Speak during SPORTbible hot lap Verstappen offered a blunt assessment of the event as the quarter-finals got underway at Silverstone, insisting that despite England’s impressive run to the quarter-finals, Didier Deschamps’ side were still the strongest team in the competition.England beat Mexico 3-2 in dramatic fashion to prepare to face Norway in Saturday’s quarter-finals, while France beat Morocco 2-0 to seal their semi-final spot.
Verstappen predicts France will win World Cup
When asked if English football had finally “come home”, Verstappen dismissed the possibility.“No, I don’t think so,” Verstappen said. “I think France is great.”The comments come as England supporters still dream of ending six decades without a major international trophy.Thomas Tuchel’s side beat hosts Mexico 3-2 in one of the most dramatic games of the tournament to book a place in the quarter-finals. England played the final 40 minutes with 10 men, with Jarell Quansah sent off for a high challenge on Jesús Gallardo, but held on to seal victory amid a hostile atmosphere at the Estadio Azteca.
England players celebrate their victory during the World Cup last 16 football match in Mexico City, Mexico, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
The Three Lions will now face Norway for a place in the semi-finals.
France continues to justify favorites label
Verstappen’s prediction comes after another fine performance from the French team.France beat Morocco 2-0 in the quarter-finals to extend their perfect record in the tournament to six wins from six games.
France’s Kylian Mbappe celebrates after France beat Morocco during their World Cup quarterfinal football match between France and Morocco in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Thursday, July 9, 2026, near Boston. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Kylian Mbappe recovered from a missed first-half penalty to open the scoring before Ousmane Dembélé added another to send Deschamps’ side into their third consecutive World Cup semi-final.France have emerged as one of the best teams in this World Cup, scoring freely throughout the season while defending solidly.Spain defeated Belgium 2-1 to advance to the semi-finals and set up a sensational clash with the Gallic Roosters.
Verstappen refuses to choose between Messi and Ronaldo
In the same interview, Verstappen was also asked to choose between Lionel Messi and Lionel Messi, settling one of football’s longest-running debates. cristiano ronaldo.Rather than choosing one over the other, the four-time Formula 1 world champion believes the two men should not be compared directly as they each achieved great things in different ways.“You can’t compare them because they are just different,” Verstappen replied.“I always find ways in which they achieve great things.”Messi is still competing with Argentina for another World Cup title, while Ronaldo’s international career ended when Portugal lost to Spain in the last 16.With England still needing to beat Norway before any potential clash with one of the tournament favorites, Verstappen believes France remain the benchmark. Whether France can justify their form in the final stages of the game remains one of the team’s decisive questions fifa world cup 2026.
