France the team to beat? Chris Sutton predicts the World Cup last-32 ties

Context and Importance

The 2026 World Cup has reached its decisive stage, and with it came the usual round of predictions. BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton shared his forecasts for the last-32 ties, the first knockout round of the tournament.

The headline of Sutton's piece is clear: France are the team to beat in this edition. For an expert used to calling results round by round, naming a favourite this early says a lot about the strength of the French squad.

This World Cup is unlike any other. With 48 nations involved, the format gained a new phase, the last-32, before the traditional run of last-16, quarters, semi-finais and final. That is where Sutton's predictions come in.

What Happened

In his usual column for BBC Sport, Sutton analysed the last-32 ties of the 2026 World Cup. The piece was published on 28 June, with the knockout draw set after the group stage.

Among the games covered, one stands out for British fans: England against the Democratic Republic of Congo. The tie pits one of the European favourites against an African side that surprised by advancing.

Sutton is known for predicting matches game by game throughout the season, usually in English football. Bringing that same format to the World Cup brings fans closer to the analysis and sparks debate before a ball is kicked.

Impact on the Competition

Naming France as favourites changes the tone of the conversation. The French have reached recent finals and keep a squad packed with stars, which backs up the title-contender label.

For England, the match against DR Congo looks calm on paper but hides danger. At a World Cup, underestimating an African opponent often comes at a cost, and the English fans know it.

The new 48-nation format also increases the number of knockout games. More elimination matches mean more chances for an upset, and that is exactly what makes the predictions só hotly contested among fans.

Reaction in the Football World

Prediction columns like Sutton's always stir up fans. Naming France as the team to beat divides opinion online and in pubs, with backers of other powers hitting back instantly.

On the English side, the expectation is huge. The British press follows every step of the national team, and any prediction involving England becomes a headline and a talking point.

It is worth remembering that a prediction is just that. Experts get it wrong as often as right, and part of the fun lies in comparing the forecast with what actually happens on the pitch.

Relevant History

France carry huge historical weight in World Cups. Champions in 1998 and 2018, they established themselves as one of the great forces of recent decades and almost always feature among the contenders.

England, for their part, are looking to match or surpass recent strong campaigns. Their world title still dates back to 1966, and every new World Cup renews the hope of ending the long drought.

The presence of DR Congo at this stage reinforces the growth of African football in World Cups. Sides from the continent are no longer mere extras but feared opponents in the knockouts.

Numbers and Statistics

The 2026 World Cup is the first contested by 48 nations, up from the 32 of previous editions. The expansion created the last-32 stage, a first in the tournament's history.

France have two world titles, won in 1998 and 2018, plus recent finals that keep their reputation as a powerhouse alive.

England have just one World Cup title, in 1966, at home. The figure helps explain the pressure on the team at every tournament.

What Comes Next

With the last-32 set, the World Cup moves into pure knockout mode. Every game now decides who stays in, and Sutton's predictions will be tested round after round.

England aim to get past DR Congo to stay alive in the title race. A slip at this stage would be seen as a failure by the demanding English support.

For France, the challenge is to confirm on the pitch the favouritism handed to them by pundits. Being the favourites raises the pressure, and any slip becomes a negative headline.

Expert Opinion

Naming France as the team to beat makes sense given the squad and the recent record. But World Cups are not won on paper, and the new format with more knockout games leaves room for surprises.

The tie between England and DR Congo sums up the state of world football. The gaps between nations have narrowed, and favourites must sweat to confirm their spot.

In the end, predictions like Sutton's serve to heat up the mood. The fan who loves to argue about football with passion knows the best part is seeing whether the forecasts come true once the ball is rolling.