Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has backed England to win the World Cup and named the ‘only team’ that can stop Gareth Southgate’s side in Qatar.
On Sunday, England booked a mouth-watering World Cup quarter-final match against reigning champions France with a 3-0 victory over Senegal.
England finished top of Group B and continued their momentum against African champions Senegal as goals from Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka sealed a comfortable victory.
Next up for England is a quarter-final game with World Cup holders France, who beat Poland 3-1 in their first knockout clash in Qatar after topping Group D.
Former United defender Ferdinand says he has ‘zero fear’ for France and has backed Southgate to lead the Three Lions to World Cup win over the next two weeks.
Ferdinand has been impressed with England’s campaign so far and believes Brazil are the only side who can go ‘toe to toe’ with England.
Brazil, who face South Korea on Monday, will meet England in the semi-finals in Qatar if both teams get that far.
‘I watched France play [Poland] before the England game and I had them down as one of my favourites,’ Ferdinand said on the FIVE YouTube channel.
‘But they’ve got five first-team players missing so it’s a weakened France team. Having watched that game, I hold zero amounts of fear for France. The only fear is Kylian Mbappe.
‘They didn’t show me anything yesterday, they rely on individuals. If England can contain Mbappe, I don’t see it being a problem against France.
‘England played against the African champions [Senegal] by the way. France beat Poland, who have been so poor in this tournament.
‘England are the better team, 100%. I think England are going to win the World Cup. ‘The only team I think can go toe to toe with England is Brazil. They’ve got the personality and the characters to do that. They’ve got hardened European players.
‘I see weaknesses all over the place in the other teams and I think England can physically dominate the other teams.’
