Coach Nguyen Quoc Long: 'France and England will prove their resilience in the knockout stage'

The opening knockout matches of the 2026 World Cup officially begin with evenly contested pairings. Leading forces such as the French and English squads are forecast to struggle slightly against tough adversaries like Sweden and Congo.

Meanwhile, Norway, led by superstar striker Erling Haaland, must confront a formidable African representative in Ivory Coast. Assessing these highly anticipated clashes, former Hanoi FC and Saigon FC player Coach Nguyen Quoc Long analyzes: "Personally, the showdown between Norway and Ivory Coast is the most unpredictable and risk-laden matchup."

Norway boasts a young squad entering their prime, competing in top leagues such as the Premier League, Bundesliga, and Serie A. However, Ivory Coast is a traditional powerhouse with superior experience and composure on the World Cup stage.

The characteristic physical stamina of African teams is always a weapon that makes every opponent cautious. I lean toward a scenario where the two sides draw in regular time, and Norway can only secure a spot in the next round through extra time brilliance or a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.

In another development, the clash between France and Sweden is also highly intriguing. I have always regarded France as the strongest candidate for this year's golden trophy, thanks to their exceptional squad depth featuring global superstars like Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, and Desire Doue.

Although Sweden possesses quality names like Gyokeres, Isak, and Elanga, their team's quality across the lines is uneven. Evidence shows they were completely unable to control the game against the Netherlands in the group stage. Therefore, 'Les Bleus' are likely to dispatch their opponents comfortably within 90 minutes of regular play."

Beyond being impressed by France's strength, Coach Quoc Long also has great faith in the display of power from the "Three Lions" under the guidance of strategist Thomas Tuchel: "Despite facing many doubts and upheavals before the tournament, no one can deny that England possesses a star-studded squad.

The careful management of energy in the group stage reflects a clever strategic move by the coaching staff to select a manageable opponent like Congo in the round of 32. This is a reasonable calculation that helps England both relieve psychological pressure and build positive momentum to advance deep into the competition.

I trust that Harry Kane, a striker at the peak of his career, will continue to lead the 'Three Lions' attack. Behind him is the launchpad from world-class attacking midfielder Jude Bellingham, along with support from speedsters like Bukayo Saka and Morgan Rogers.

With superior strength, England will not only win but could also achieve a resounding victory with a large margin. Additionally, I predict other top teams like Mexico, Belgium, and the United States will not face too many obstacles to secure their spots in the next round."