Gary Lineker says only Argentina can stop France; Spain also a threat
England legend Gary Lineker said France looks virtually unstoppable in the 2026 World Cup, predicting it will be "incredibly difficult" for any team to beat them after their 3-0 win over Sweden and 10-goal group stage haul against Senegal, Iraq and Norway. He argued that defending champions Argentina are the only side capable of halting Didier Deschamps’ squad, while European champions Spain could also pose a threat if they regain their earlier form. Lineker dismissed England’s chances, noting their shaky path to the last‑16— a 4‑2 win over Croatia, a 0‑0 draw with Ghana, a narrow win over Panama, and two late Harry Kane goals to beat DR Congo—setting up a last‑16 clash with co‑hosts Mexico. For Nigerian football fans following the tournament, this highlights which teams are likely to dominate the later stages and where surprises might come from. Knowing Argentina and Spain are seen as France’s main challengers can help you decide which matches to watch, where to focus your support, or how to set realistic expectations for African teams. Will you back Argentina or Spain to challenge France, or do you think an African side could surprise everyone?