England
Manager: Thomas Tuchel
Thirty years of hurt has turned into 60 for England fans but there is little doubt that the Three Lions have the ability to become world champions for only the second time this summer. Thomas Tuchel has the tactical nous many pundits believed Gareth Southgate lacked, for all that the now-knighted former boss took England to two Euros finals and the last four of the 2018 World Cup. A kind path through the knockouts to the final is likely should England win Group L as expected, but France or Spain could be waiting at the MetLife Stadium on July 19 and the feeling is that those sides may just have that bit more class than the Three Lions.
Centre-back Marc Guehi has established himself as one of the classiest defenders in the world, and his poise on the ball will be a huge assest to England's World Cup challenge. He is also not afraid of doing the unheralded stuff at the back and committed 1.7 fouls per game for Manchester City this season following his January move from Crystal Palace.
Arsenal's excellence at set-pieces was as much to do with Declan Rice's deliveries as it was their choreographed formations. Rice has the uncanny knack of finding a team-mate at corners or free-kicks, while he is just as adept breaking the lines with a killer pass to England or Arsenal's forward line.
England's record goalscorer Harry Kane is certain to be their biggest attacking threat at the World Cup and averaged 4.7 shots per game for a thoroughly dominant Bayern Munich outfit this season. His importance to the Three Lions cannot be underestimated and their attacking output suffered during March's friendlies against Uruguay and Japan in his absence.
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has been a model of efficiency with his shots this season, steering 72% of his efforts for the Gunners on target. In his last five matches, Saka has hit the target with three, two, one, four and two of his shots.
England's midfield jewel Jude Bellingham is capable of moments of magic with the ball but he is just as effective without it. Bellingham relishes a physical contest but that can at times land him in a spot of bother with referees, as eight yellow cards for Real Madrid this seasons illustrates.
