2026-02-01 10:30:14
Gary Lineker finds it “difficult” to assess England’s World Cup prospects.
The former Match of the Day presenter believes that the Three Lions have a chance of glory at this summer’s tournament in North America but thinks that the team needs more tests against top-quality opposition.
In an interview with World Soccer magazine, Lineker said: “You can see improvements but it’s very difficult when you’re not playing anyone major, with all due respect to the other teams in England’s qualifying group. That makes it hard to see where we are.
“It’ll be interesting to see what Thomas Tuchel does with Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden. England do have an exceptional squad and it’s a great challenge to fit so many talented players into a system, almost more difficult than if you have no players.”
The former England striker added: “It won’t be easy over there. Spain have to be favourites, Argentina will put up a decent defence of their trophy and France will be strong.
“The usual suspects will all have a chance. But so do England. They have been knocking on the door for a while, and, if you keep knocking, eventually you’ll get it open.”
Lineker is better known to younger generations for hosting the BBC’s iconic football highlights show Match of the Day and explained that some only realise that he was a player when modern strikers close in on his goalscoring feats.
He said: “It’s a generation who don’t remember so it’s interesting when today’s players get close to a record.
“For example, I’ve scored more World Cup finals goals (for) England (10) than anyone else – Harry Kane is only two behind me so he could catch up again.
“Again, I was the only England player to win the World Cup Golden Boot (in 1986) until Harry did it in Russia (in 2018). Times like these remind people that you did play football as well and were alright at it. It’ll be the same in the summer.”
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