Terry tips England for World Cup glory ahead Croatia clash

Former England captain and football legend John Terry believes the Three Lions have their best opportunity in years to challenge for FIFA World Cup glory as they prepare to begin their 2026 campaign against Croatia.

Speaking ahead of England’s opening Group stage fixture on Wednesday, Terry expressed confidence in the quality, depth and experience within the squad, insisting that Thomas Tuchel’s side possesses the tools needed to mount a serious title challenge.

The former Chelsea defender, who is serving as a SuperSport analyst during the tournament, said England’s recent performances in major competitions have laid the foundation for what could be a memorable World Cup campaign.

“I’m extremely excited to see England at this World Cup,” Terry said.

“We’ve had a couple of good tournaments over the last few years and we have a really strong squad. More importantly, I genuinely believe we have a real chance of winning this World Cup.”

Terry identified captain Harry Kane as the player most crucial to England’s ambitions, describing the Bayern Munich striker as the team’s leader both on and off the pitch.

“I think Harry Kane is pivotal to everything England want to achieve. If we can keep him fit, he remains our captain, our goalscorer and one of our most important players,” he said.

England’s World Cup journey begins with a high-profile encounter against Croatia, a fixture expected to provide an early indication of whether Tuchel’s team can live up to growing expectations among supporters.

According to Terry, England’s belief has been strengthened by the progress made under former manager Gareth Southgate and the fresh ideas introduced by Tuchel.

“There is a strong connection between the team and the supporters now. The work Gareth Southgate did created a solid foundation and there is hope that Thomas Tuchel can take the team even further,” he said.

While praising the final squad, Terry admitted he would have included a few different names, notably Manchester United defender Harry Maguire and Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer.

He argued that tournament football often requires players capable of producing moments of brilliance under pressure.

“Palmer may not have had his best season, but he is the type of player who can decide a match in an instant. Those are the players you want at a World Cup,” Terry noted.

The former England skipper also expressed surprise at the omission of Trent Alexander-Arnold, saying the Real Madrid full-back’s crossing ability and effectiveness from set-pieces could have offered England another valuable attacking option.

Despite his optimism, Terry acknowledged that England will face stiff competition from several elite football nations.

He singled out France as the team to beat, citing the depth of talent available to the former world champions.

“France are probably the favourites for me. Their attacking options are incredible and they have quality all over the pitch,” he said.

Terry also pointed to Spain as another major contender, noting that possession-based teams could benefit from the weather conditions expected during the tournament.

As England prepare for their opening match, Terry believes the ingredients for success are firmly in place.

The Three Lions will launch their campaign against Croatia on Wednesday, hoping to take the first step towards ending nearly six decades of waiting for football’s most coveted prize.