Roy Keane doesn’t usually hand out easy predictions. But when it comes to this World Cup, he’s drawing a pretty firm line. Two teams. One final. And he’d be genuinely surprised if it doesn’t shake out that way.
The Manchester United legend told ITV that Argentina and France are the clear favorites to meet for the trophy, and he didn’t mince words about why.
Keane’s take: France and Argentina are on another level
“The French attacking players are as good as any,” Keane said. “But then we saw that with Brazil. We’ve seen it with England’s main lads turning up against Panama.” He paused for a beat. “Probably France have got, obviously, more in numbers. But then again, listen, I think Argentina do as well.”
Keane then made his stance crystal clear: “I think Argentina and France are the teams that have the players and the good options. There’d be no surprise if they end up meeting in the final. I’d be surprised if they don’t meet in the final.”
Former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou was nodding along. He pointed out that even France’s own fans aren’t totally happy with the team — but that’s just how it goes with national sides everywhere. “No one is ever happy with their national team,” Postecoglou said. “There’s always areas to improve.” Still, he couldn’t help but gush about France’s attacking depth. “I look at their front five, six, any combination of that, are just absolutely world-class and elite.”
England’s path runs through one guy
Not everyone is ready to crown Argentina or France just yet. Former Bournemouth and Burnley manager Scott Parker has a different kind of warning for England fans: don’t sleep on Declan Rice’s health.
Parker wrote in The Telegraph that Rice is the make-or-break piece for England. “Four words come to mind when I think about England’s hopes of winning the World Cup: we need Declan Rice,” he said.
Rice has been managing a hamstring issue, and there’s been chatter about whether he should sit out England’s last-32 matchup with DR Congo. Parker understands the concern but insists Rice is too important. “If England are going to go deep in this tournament, he is one of Thomas Tuchel’s foundation pillars – a manager’s dream. Whatever you ask him to do, he will do it.”
So while Keane is locking in his finalists, England’s hopes might come down to whether Rice can stay on the pitch. That’s the kind of drama that makes a World Cup feel like it’s just getting started.
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