Former Manchester United academy product and seasoned English coach Ashley Westwood has tipped England to be among the contenders at the FIFA World Cup, while naming France as the strongest favourites and Japan as one of the teams capable of making a deep and unexpected run in the competition.

Speaking about the foundations of his coaching journey, Westwood said his time in Manchester United’s academy system played a major role in shaping his outlook on football. He explained that the environment at the club emphasized commitment, professionalism and a winning mentality from an early age.

“Coming through the Manchester United academy taught us what it takes to work hard, dedicate yourself and be professional every day. Those core beliefs have stayed with many players from that generation and continue to influence the way I approach the game today,” he said.

Discussing England’s prospects, Westwood believes the Three Lions possess enough talent to compete with the best but warned that their opening match against Croatia will be far from straightforward. He described Croatia as a side that consistently poses problems for England due to its resilience and strong footballing culture.

“Croatia have always been a tricky team for England. They have resilience, a strong football culture and a mentality that never gives up. They are a nation you can never take for granted,” he said.

Westwood also shared his predictions for several upcoming World Cup fixtures. He expects Portugal to register a 2-0 victory over DR Congo, while forecasting a 1-1 draw between England and Croatia. He backed Ghana to comfortably beat Panama 3-0, tipped Uzbekistan to shock Colombia with a 2-1 win, and predicted Czechia and South Africa would settle for a 1-1 draw.

When asked about the leading contenders for the title, Westwood pointed to France as the team most likely to emerge victorious, highlighting the remarkable strength and depth of their attack.

“You can’t look past France. The attacking power they possess is incredible. They have goals, pace and quality all across the front line,” he said.

As for potential dark horses, Westwood singled out Japan and Sweden as teams that could surpass expectations during the tournament. He also praised Morocco for their adventurous brand of football and identified promising Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi as one of the young players worth keeping an eye on throughout the World Cup.