‘It’s NOT Coming Home’: Max Verstappen stabs England’s World Cup dream with brutal prediction

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands walks through the paddock before the F1 Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg, Austria, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos) Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen does not believe England will end their long wait for World Cup glory, with the Dutch driver backing France to lift the 2026 World Cup trophy instead.Speaking during SPORTbible’s Hot Lap at Silverstone, Verstappen offered a stark assessment of the tournament as the quarter-finals get under way, insisting Didier Deschamps’ side remain the strongest team in the competition despite England’s impressive run to the last eight.England prepare for Saturday’s quarter-final with Norway after surviving a dramatic 3-2 win over Mexico, while France have already booked their place in the semi-finals with a 2-0 win over Morocco.

Verstappen predicts France to win World Cup

Asked if football was finally “coming home” for England, Verstappen dismissed the possibility.“No, I don’t think he will,” Verstappen said. “I think France is too good.The comment came as England supporters continue to dream of ending six decades without a major international trophy.Thomas Tuchel’s side booked their place in the quarter-finals after beating hosts Mexico 3-2 in one of the most dramatic games of the tournament. England played the final 40 minutes with 10 men after Jarell Quansah was sent off for a high challenge on Jesús Gallardo, but still held on for victory in a hostile atmosphere at the Estadio Azteca.

England players celebrate victory during the World Cup Round of 16 match between Mexico and England in Mexico City, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

The Three Lions will now face Norway for a place in the semi-finals.

France continues to justify the designation of favorites

Verstappen’s prediction follows another impressive display from France.Les Bleus opened the quarter-finals with a 2-0 victory over Morocco, extending their perfect record at the tournament to six wins from six matches.

France’s Kylian Mbappe celebrates after France beat Morocco during the World Cup quarterfinal between France and Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Kylian Mbappé recovered from a first-half penalty miss to score the opener before Ousmane Dembélé added a second to send Didier Deschamps’ side into a third consecutive World Cup semi-final.France have emerged as one of the tournament’s standout teams, scoring freely while remaining defensive throughout their campaign.Spain now join them in the semi-finals after securing a 2-1 victory over Belgium to set up a sensational clash with Les Bleus.

Verstappen refuses to choose between Messi and Ronaldo

During the same interview, Verstappen was also asked to settle one of football’s longest-running debates by choosing between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.Rather than picking one over the other, the four-time F1 world champion argued that the pair should not be directly compared as each achieved greatness in different ways.“You can’t compare them because it’s just different,” Verstappen replied.“The way they achieved greatness is what I always find.Messi remains in contention for another World Cup title with Argentina, while Ronaldo’s international career ended emotionally after Portugal’s round of 16 defeat to Spain.With England still needing to overcome Norway before potentially meeting one of the tournament favourites, Verstappen believes France will remain the benchmark. Whether Les Bleus can justify that status in the final stages of the competition now remains one of the defining questions of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.