World Cup 2026: England played tournament’s best football, says Gary Neville - but France remain favourites

Gary Neville believes England produced the best football of the World Cup so far in their second-half display against Croatia, but remains unconvinced that Thomas Tuchel's side should be considered favourites for the tournament.

England recovered from a chaotic first half to beat Croatia 4-2 in their Group L opener, with Neville particularly impressed by the fluency and intensity of Tuchel's side after the break.

"The way in which England played in that first 10, 15 minutes of the second half was probably the best 10, 15 minutes we've seen from any team in the tournament so far," Neville told Sky Sports News.

"That's not to get carried away because I know there's a long way to go and a game of football isn't over 10 or 15 minutes.

"It was really brave, it was a good night for him, the team in the second half were fantastic, it was a good performance."

Neville was also impressed by Tuchel's decision-making from the touchline, particularly after England moved 3-2 ahead.

"I thought when England were 3-2 up you don't see many managers making those type of substitutions.

"The volume of substitutions, three of them all at once, but also putting Jude Bellingham back into central midfield alongside Elliot Anderson was a really attacking move.

"Not many managers would do that."

Neville: France still my favourites to win World Cup

Despite England's encouraging start, Neville says he is sticking with his pre-tournament prediction.

"I said France before the tournament that I thought they would win it. I'm not going to change that now.

"I don't think we've seen enough yet. It's too early in the tournament and it's certainly too early to say that England are going to go and win it.

"I know that's probably what people want to hear. It was a really good start for us. There's a long way to go."

Neville hails Kane and Bellingham after Croatia win

Neville also hailed Harry Kane after the captain scored in the victory over Croatia, describing the Bayern Munich striker as England's only genuine world-class player.

"There are some great strikers who have played for England over the last 100 years but he is so special.

"He's genuinely, I do believe right now, the only world-class player we have. Harry Kane is there. He's absolutely on top of that mountain right now. Collectively England are strong, they're very strong."

Neville was also full of praise for Jude Bellingham, who starred in England's opening victory and impressed him with both his performance and demeanour before kick-off.

"He is a superstar. Watching him in the tunnel before the game, he looked so relaxed, like he belongs, like this is something that he does every single day very easily.

"I thought he was excellent last night.

"Whether he was playing in that No 10 role, whether he was playing a little bit deeper towards the end, he was outstanding and arguably England's best player."

England's focus now shifts to Ghana in their second Group L fixture, with Tuchel's side aiming to build on an impressive opening victory and move a step closer to the knockout stages.