World Cup Favorites

24:18Jurgen Klinsmann:It's the very, very first time that Brazil hired a coach from abroad, which other big nations don't have the guts to do that. like, for example, Italy. And I think if somebody can deal with all the divas of Brazilian football, then it's Carlo Ancelotti because it's just that type of a character and personality that gives you so much joy. It gives you so much energy and belief, really in belief, because he proved it all. He won it all as a manager himself. And that's why I think, you know, maybe, you know, in the second, third, fourth game, you know, bringing on Neymar from the bench, the whole stadium will rock.

24:57Jurgen Klinsmann:This will be incredible. Defensively, they look good to me. They have a lot of experience in that side and they are hungry. They have so much hunger. If you want to go through this World Cup with five and a half weeks of tournament, five and a half weeks, 48 teams, in a round of 32 now we're playing. You need eight games to win this World Cup, the first time ever. I think Brazil is ready to do that. Yeah, Francois-Révois to France. Brazil are the favourites for Jürgen. Right. OK. Well, you know what? You cannot deny that Brazil is a country of football, and we love to see them at their best because we need them at their best for any World Cup.

25:39Jurgen Klinsmann:And when I see the graphic, there's no doubt that they are fantastic forward line. They have a good defence, but they are, for me, questionable in the middle of the park. And you win battles in the middle of the park. So let's see how it works. I mean, it's interesting because, yes, as Jürgen said, Ancelotti is there and he can be an X factor. Let's see how it works. I have question marks, but I want to be surprised and happily surprised with Brazil. OK. Thank you so much, Frank. We will see how Brazil play and how it all plays out, as we will in La Liga's promotion playoffs as well. The season continues in the Segunda División in Spain.

26:22Almeria have booked their spot in the final, but the second leg between Las Palmas and Malaga takes place today at 3pm. This game available on ESPN Plus. Malaga with a 1-0 lead as it stands. Next up, we talk about the three Lions led by Thomas Tuchel. 60 years later, we ask, is it coming home? England's recent World Cup record does point to something of a resurgence on the world stage by their own standards that is 2024 runners up in the Euros to Spain they got to the quarterfinals in 2022 2020 got to the final against Italy in the Euros lost out there and of course they made it to their first semi-final since 1990 in 2018 where they lost to Croatia in that tournament this This man Harry Kane was top scorer and the hopes of England are once again on his shoulders.

27:18All eyes on Harry Kane. So let's speak to a former England player about England and about the Harry Kane factor too. Well, he's going to be key for them and they have to build the team around him because although he's a centre forward and he'll score goals and he'll be in the box at the right time, he's a link-up player as well. So he'll go into wide areas at times, he'll go deep. So the other three players you have in those front areas have to compliment him. and that's why I would play Jude Bellingham because you need somebody who's going to run into the box when it goes wide to Saka and bends balls in.

27:47Jude Bellingham, although I've been very critical of him now. Yes, you have. That's why I'm laughing at Ale right now. But he is a player that when he's on four, when he's got the attributes to suit Kane perfectly. Making forward runs, getting himself in the box. He's good in the air and Gordon, I think, will make runs from outside to in. Saka will stay wide and they've got two midfield players who are dynamic in Rice and Anderson who are good defensively but also can pass the ball. So it's a good side. James, I think, is a good right back if he's fully fit. But what I would say about Thomas Tuchel, he's probably a better coach than Gareth Southgate ever was as the England manager.

28:20But Gareth Southgate got the team together. They're a great team spirit. I'm not sure that's the case with this England side. Yeah, let's talk about Thomas Tuchel with this team, because that's what Gareth Southgate seemed to be, the England player whisperer. Can Thomas Tuchel replicate that and take them even further? Well, I think that's why they've gone for him. You know, if there's one thing, you know, you can say about when you look at the previous tournaments and how far they've got, they just don't seem to be able to grab it and take it and win it. They get themselves in positions to do that, but something holds them back.

28:54So, Tuchel might be the guy to unlock that mental block they have. And he's better tactically than Gerrasek. Those games they lost against Croatia, tactically, they were in control of the game. the game against Italy in the European Championships they were in control of the game and suddenly the tactical side of the game went out the window and that's where Thomas Tuchel can be better. And you will see Thomas Tuchel, you know, Gareth Southgate half of his problem was, he was sat on the bench you know, when things were going against him or when they needed to be told to keep going forward he was sat 20 yards away on the bench doing nothing, twiddling his thumbs.

29:28Thomas Tuchel won't do that, he will be out on the touchline and if they're not doing what they're supposed to do he'll be telling them. And that's the only way they take the next step if the manager, both tactically and personality-wise, gets the best out of his players because he has to.

29:42Jurgen Klinsmann:I think it's a combo package of the tactical part and the mental aspect for England. Quite frankly, in those games that we're talking about, where they were dominating, when they felt like they were in control, they got afraid of success. They knew that they were close. They knew they were about to take that big step, and instead of taking that big step forward, the decision made by the players and by Gareth Southgate was to take a step back. I assume that Tomas Tuchel will have a different approach, but in saying that, and we talk about player personnel individually, we can focus on Jude Bellingham and what he can bring to this team offensively, and he will have to be better than what he was for Real Madrid this season, and he will have to be a presence inside the 18-yard box if indeed Harry Kane is going to be in a playmaking position.

30:29Jurgen Klinsmann:But beyond the headliners, Nico Riley's playing left back. Now, he was struggling playing that position for Manchester City. It was one of the positions that we would say, why is Pep Guardiola playing this guy as a left back? He is a player who likes to join in the attack, who likes to come centrally. He's more of a midfielder who's going to be in a position where he's not all that comfortable. So, if I'm playing against England, and I'm going to sit back, and I'm going to say, alright, we're going to absorb some pressure. The moment I win the ball, I know that my outlet is behind the back of Nico Reilly and forcing the centre-backs to come out wide.

31:04Jurgen Klinsmann:That is already built in tactically. So where England can be going? So you're saying Alisa and Jamal and those sort of players might cause O 'Reilly one or two problems? Yes. One, two, three, six, seven, ten problems. Here's the issue. And that, for me, is already tactically, structurally done so by the decisions made by Thomas Tuchel. That is a problem. One thing that is not a problem, however, as we have mentioned, Juergen, is Harry Kane. So from one former Bayern striker to another, tell us how special this player is and why he could make the difference for England. Well, because he has all the experience in the world and obviously also the class.

31:43Jurgen Klinsmann:I mean, he's just top-notch. And I mean, this is his opportunity now. I mean, he made the big move to Bayern Munich to win trophies. He started to win these trophies now with Bayern Munich. Obviously, he's still waiting for the Champions League. But there's nothing bigger than winning a World Cup. And I think he will be so hungry. He will be so driven. He's undoubtedly their captain. You know, everybody follows Harry Kane. He's there when things get difficult. You know, he's looking after players. He's coming back, drops into midfield when there's not enough rhythm in there. So he's pushing the team constantly.

32:18Jurgen Klinsmann:And that's what I'm hoping for. I hope that he guides England really, really far in the tournament. There's another topic certainly that is fun to discuss for all of us is what happens with penalty shootouts because you have now five knockout games if you want to win the World Cup from the round of 32 on. And so you go probably, I would guess, maybe at least one or probably two penalty shootouts. So is Pickford your goalkeeper to win your penalty shootouts? question mark. There's maybe something to discuss. But Harry Kane undoubtedly is the leader of that pack and he wants that so badly. So now it's his time.

33:06Jurgen Klinsmann:You're already stressed out. Thank you, Jürgen. The German for bringing up penalty shootouts for England. Thanks very much. Thank you. Don't worry. It's going to be fine. It's going to be okay. It's all going to work out. What about Pickford? Pickford. What about Pickford? He's a decent goalkeeper. I wouldn't say he's one of the best in the world. I don't like his antics at times when he's trying his arms up and down and running out and gesticulating to the defenders. I want a goalkeeper who's nice and calm and makes saves and gets on with it. I was hoping to feel a bit more confident about England after this segment, but that's not the case.

33:39You've kept me the wrong place. Maybe tonight Dan Thomas, Nader Manua, Mark Ogden can change minds. Tonight, 5pm Eastern, more coverage of the World Cup. ESPN FC on ESPN Plus has you covered. Coming up next, we look at two teams that are definitely worth casting our eyes over. Portugal, who are looking strong, and the once world beaters, Germany, who are looking for redemption.

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35:39That's E-T-H-O-S dot com slash sports. Application times and rates may vary. Could 2026 finally be the year that Portugal lift the World Cup? This is their recent run at the World Cup. We have a 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo heading into a sixth World Cup tournament. And around him are some really quite special players, many of them, Frank, playing at PSG at the moment.

36:09Jurgen Klinsmann:Yes, and they've been absolutely incredible, especially in the middle of the park with Neves and Vitinha. You have to add Mendes and Ramos at front when he plays. And those four players have been absolutely crucial for Paris Saint-Germain and Portugal. So you have to respect that team. Of course, Bruno Fernandes being elected the best player in England this season. And you have also great defenders like Diaz. So I want to believe that after Spain and France, Portugal can be the third favourites of that World Cup. That guy will be crucial. What it is is reaction if one day he's on the bench, if Martinez decides to put him on the bench.

36:47Jurgen Klinsmann:That's the key of the success. I'm wondering if we will be accepting that situation. It would be like when he got injured against France in the European Championship in 2016, when he was helping his teammates and they won the European Championship. If he has this attitude, Portugal has a chance to win the World Cup. Otherwise, it can be tricky in the dressing room. That guy being Cristiano Ronaldo, the one and only Cristiano Ronaldo. Well, managing the Ronaldo factor is going to be key to the success of Roberto Martinez and Portugal in this World Cup. And being able to understand how can Cristiano Ronaldo help us win this World Cup.

37:33Jurgen Klinsmann:Is it as a starter? Is it coming off the bench? Is it a combination of both? How do you manage his minutes? How do you get his best in the latter stages of the competition? And in doing so, you shift the responsibility and the weights and hopes of a nation from the shoulders of Cristiano Ronaldo to the strength of the team. Portugal will win this competition not just because of Cristiano Ronaldo, but actually because they have a really good and talented group of players. They are the ones that can carry Cristiano Ronaldo, not vice versa. not Cristiano Ronaldo carrying Portugal. Those are the decisions that Roberto Martínez has to make.

38:10Jurgen Klinsmann:Does he have it within him? Does he have the wherewithal to make those decisions? We don't know. There's one thing that will stop Portugal winning the competition. When you look at the team, they've got some great midfield players. They've got good defenders. They've got good wide players. Bernardo Silva, we haven't even talked about. Excellent for Manchester City over a number of years. But I saw Cristiano Ronaldo play for Juventus, and it was the demise of Juventus because everybody had to do everything around him. when he was playing centre forward he'd drift out to the left wing when he was playing left wing he'd drift into the centre forward he didn't do any work to close people down and then the manager has to build a team around that I think that will stop Portugal winning the tournament because for the rest of their team I think they're a fantastic out so that's the question is Ronaldo going to be the reason why this talented team doesn't win it how because there's no question Ali's saying well does he start does he come on there's no question he starts of course he starts because right now it feels as though Ronaldo has got too much say and will override the manager because I just don't believe the manager is strong enough to turn round to Ronaldo and say, you're not starting.

39:17And we can talk about the group stages, but when it comes to the knockout stages, which they will be at, that's when he needs to sit on the bench. Are you talking about our former ESPN colleague, Roberto Martinez? Well, Roberto Martinez, when he was at Belgium, had the same problem with Hazard. when he shouldn't have played, he couldn't tell him not to. And in fact, he made him captain. So he had to play him. Disaster. That's going to be the key. Jürgen, Cristiano Ronaldo, 41 years old. No denying what he's done in the game so far. Is he going to be a problem for Portugal?

39:49Jurgen Klinsmann:Not at all. Not at all. The opposite. He will be the leader of this Portuguese team. And I see that very similar to the Argentinian team in Qatar, where the entire Argentinian team was running their butts off for Messi. They were doing everything for Messi. From every game, it got more and more and more. And I see it very similar here with Portugal. This is a team that gets along. This is a team that wants to fight for Cristiano Ronaldo. And Cristiano Ronaldo wants to lose so badly to win a World Cup. I think they can do extremely well. With Roberto Martinez, you have a manager. that is a fantastic people person.

40:29Jurgen Klinsmann:He knows how to handle different characters. I think he has also now the experience and also the strength, you know, to say things clearly in the locker room. But I'm sure that Cristiano Ronaldo puts himself absolutely in service of the team and the team will do everything to deliver this World Cup to Portugal. It's for me that after Brazil, it's the second favorite team. Jürgen's got the sexy lighting on right now. Yes, you've got to listen to what Jürgen's saying. The sun is coming up in California. I'm so sorry. The sun is shining in California. The sun is shining on Jürgen Klinsmann. But will the sun be shining on Germany, Jürgen?

41:06Consecutive group stage exits in the World Cup in both 2022 and 2018. Since winning it in 2014 in Brazil. Julian Nagelsmann is in charge now. And he is aiming and aspiring to take them back to world football's top table. But can he, Jürgen?

41:28Jurgen Klinsmann:Yeah, it's going to be a very, very difficult task. I mean, the team has a lot of talent, obviously. You know, you have the youngsters, Florian Wirz and Musiala. With Musiala, we don't know yet if he's back. The 100 % that we saw him before his horrible injury last year in the Club World Cup against Paris Saint-Germain. But there's a lot of quality in that side. I think they can definitely do harm to a lot of teams. if they are capable to go all the way till the end with that group of players, that's a big question mark. Obviously, the expectations are in Germany always the same. That's like Brazil too, or France, Italy, and all these nations.

42:12Jurgen Klinsmann:When you get to a World Cup, you've got to go all the way to the end and win it. So it will be interesting to see how Julian Nagelsmann will deal with the length of the tournament. Obviously, right now, the spirit looks very, very positive. I only get good news from the team and from the people around the team. They have quality, but where we're lacking, I think if you look here at the formation, we talked about it already, is the fullback positions. Kimmich doesn't really want to play right back. He wants to play the number six. And Brown just emerged the last couple of months on the left side.

42:48Jurgen Klinsmann:It ended up in the World Cup 2014 when they won in Brazil that Joachim Löw played four centerbacks. the whole back line, the back four. That might happen now again. But they can do well. They can go far. The talent is there. Kimmich. Kimmich, I think he's an excellent... I know Thomas Tuchel didn't think he was a number six, but I thought he was excellent for... He's been a brilliant player for Bayern over the years and for Germany, playing as the holding midfield player. Not so much for his defensive qualities, but his passing qualities, dictating the pace of the game. He's got a problem. He's not very quick.

43:22He can't run. If he gets caught in 1v1 situations, Kimmich will be a problem. And we've spoken about it many times because we've watched Bundesliga. Schlotterbeck is a gambler. He'll make bad decisions.

43:33Jurgen Klinsmann:Kimmich in the midfield? Ja. Kimmich as a right back? Nein! Don't like it. And to your point about Schlotterbeck, he will make a big mistake and a dumb decision in this tournament that may cost Germany their place in the tournament. Stevie? And we haven't spoken about Tah. I'm not a fan of Tah. Oh, so listen. Jonathan Tah. and will Neuer start in goal? I mean, he should, but it's probably going to be Bowerman. Between the three of us, I think we've just wiped Germany out. Don't worry, Germany. I have high hopes for you. Make sure to join us tomorrow, 5 p.m. Eastern special show. Jürgen will be back for us.

44:13We're coming to you from Los Angeles. Alexis Nunes, Hercules Gomez, the whole crew. We have you covered for the World Cup here on ESPN FC, morning and night. yep we'll be getting the guys to give their predictions next i think i have to too no sitting on the fence world cup predictions on the way avoiding your unfinished home projects because you're not sure where to start thumbtack knows homes so you don't have to don't know the difference between matte paint finish and satin or what that clunking sound from your dryer is with thumbtack you don't have to be a home pro you just have to hire one you can hire top rated pros, see price estimates, and read reviews all on the Thumbtack app.

44:57Jurgen Klinsmann:Download today. The Stanley Cup Final on ABC is more than a quest for the cup. It's 134 years of putting it all on the line and the heaviest 35 pounds ever lifted. It's broken curses and broken hearts, but for Those chasing it, it's everything. The only question is, who will take it? You just have to watch the Stanley Cup Final presented by GEICO on ABC and the ESPN app. More action coming up for you on ESPN. July 5th from NWSL. It's Boston Legacy taking on Bay FC. 12 p.m. Eastern. Make sure to catch it. Now, Extra Time is a staple of ESPN FC. You can check it out as it's always available on YouTube, where we answer your questions.

45:47And a lot of the time it's about food. But for the World Cup, we decided we need someone who really knows what they're talking about. Not Gab Marcotti. So here is the Food Network's Bobby Flay.

46:00Jurgen Klinsmann:Who has the best food at the World Cup? Let's settle this once and for all. A hot smoked paprika, España. Wow. I feel the spirit of Pele coming back. And then Morocco. I really love the spice. Here we go, Norway. Pavlova, essentially Australian. Korean food has tons of flavors. Lionel Messi, this is his favorite dish. Defending champion. Find me someone that doesn't like Mexican food and I'll fight them. USA, USA. I had to do this for the burger. Classic burger. Where is the Italian food? I know. Some delicious Gruyere cheese. French onion soup. I do like England and I root for Chelsea. Join me, Bobby Flay, for Flavors of the Game.

46:56Ali, nice food there.

46:58Jurgen Klinsmann:How come we didn't get the invite? I know. 9am Eastern, ESPN2. More from Bobby Flay. Alexis Nunes and Ali Krieger getting all the good gigs here. We're going to have to have a fight with Alexis. She said if you don't like Mexican food, we're gonna have to fight it.

47:15Jurgen Klinsmann:Future Spotlight is brought to you by DraftKings Sports.

47:23Okay, it is time for our predictions as we take a look at the Future Spotlight on recent World Cup winners. DraftKings Sports with 2022 Argentina, 2018 France, 2014 Germany, all the way down to 1990 when it was Germany as well. That's how things are looking on the future spotlights. But how are things looking when it comes to our predictions today? Let's start with Frank and Jürgen.

47:50Jurgen Klinsmann:How about their shoes? There you go. Bringing it. Bringing it today, Kay. Thank you very much. We're bringing it every day right here on the SPF. Those points, wouldn't they? I think you never cleaned them. All right. Frank Leboeuf, who have you got? I've been forbidden to predict Canada this year. So I'm going to go back to France. Because, you know, four times out of the last seven World Cup, France has been in a World Cup final. So I want to believe that the French guys are going to do the job and we're going to win again. For those of you who don't know, Frank had Canada going pretty far in the last World Cup, and that didn't go too well.

48:38Jurgen Klinsmann:You want to do it for me? I haven't got the responsibility. You're not trusting technology. You're closer to that. There we go. Oh, nice. Oh, beautiful. Okay, somewhere on there should be Jürgen. Yes. He's sneaking in. Sneaking in. Who's going to sneak into the final and win it, though, Jürgen? Ah, look at us. Well, you know what you're doing. I think since Italy is not there, you know, I'm going to go with Carlo Ancelotti and Brazil. I love the Italian role. I'll deal with it over at this point, OK? OK, well, while you're over there, Ale, you might as well give us yours. Oh, yeah. Bad news for Jürgen.

49:23Jurgen Klinsmann:I'm going to give him some context. If I told you that the team he picked in World Cup qualifiers played against Venezuela twice and did not beat Venezuela in World Cup qualifiers, I love my country. I love Venezuela, but they're not in the World Cup. And if you're drawing against Venezuela twice, you're not winning the World Cup. España! Da-da-da! España! Da-da-da! This team and my son, Pedri, will be flying in the competition and picking Spain. Even though you said the white players, you weren't sure about the white players. Misdirection. He was just trying to fool us all. He was, but yeah. All over our eyes.

50:00Stevie, who have you got? Do you know what? I'm sure I'm going to make Frank happy. Frank, I'm going with France. I don't want anything to do with him. You know what? If France need to fight to win this World Cup, I don't want to fight France. If France need to play football to win this World Cup, I don't want to play football against them. I mean, regardless of what you throw at them, They're too strong for you, too quick, too talented. So, Frank. Here we go, here we go. Here it is. Come on, baby.

50:29Jurgen Klinsmann:Come on, baby. Come on now. Yay! Well, that's an upset right there. That is an upset right there. Ali, how do you do that thing where you make it move across a little bit? This could be problematic. See? No. Too clever. No, no, no. I don't know. We'll definitely work that out. Okay. Robbo, your pick. and your turn on the touch screen. Well, I'm going to go with France because I think they've got the best players, they've got the best team and as Stevie says, they're going to be favourites. Would you like to do it? So I'm just going to go from there to there. Nice and easy. And let's just move K.

51:05Yay! Don't you worry about that. Robbo's got us covered. OK, I'm going to surprise you all. Scotland? No. No. Not England either. What? You ready? You're Jürgen's friend, aren't you? I'm Jürgen's friend. And I think they're flying under the radar. Everybody's tried to convince me otherwise today. But I am going to Germany.

51:28Jurgen Klinsmann:You're from England and you're picking Germany. Yes. This is happening. This is a double - Bundesliga bias. Is this a double bluff? Could be. Might not be. I'll state the case if I have to. We have all summer to do so. Germany on penalties, you can say. If it goes to penalties, it's definitely Germany who are going to win it. Thank you so much for being with us today. Thanks to the guys for the predictions. Thanks to Stuart for saving the day at the end of the day. We will be back tomorrow with more of the same.