This game is often compared to the championship. The odds-on favorites to make it all the way to the end and claim the football’s ultimate prize are England and France.
Unfortunately, Qatar would mark the end of their journey for one of these great nations.
France hopes to retain its title as world champion and become the first country to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Many believed that France wouldn’t advance past the first round of the tournament because of the numerous injuries that have prevented many players, including seasoned pros Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, and Karim Benzema, from competing.
However, the defending champions have displayed incredible tenacity to overcome all obstacles convincingly thus far in the competition, with Golden Boy Kylian Mbappe taking the initiative.
They will, however, encounter their first significant obstacle of this campaign in England.
The people of England now have hope that 1966 will happen again thanks to the English team and manager Gareth Southgate. Their talented and evenly matched team hasn’t really had to shift out of second gear to defeat the opposition throughout this campaign.
Both experts and spectators are confident that this Three Lions generation will succeed where the previous “Golden Generation” failed. They have won all of their World Cup matches against France, so they have history on their side.
England vs France confirmed starting XIs
England XI (4-3-3): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Henderson, Rice, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Foden
France XI (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud
