England knocked out by Mexico? The Daily Mail’s Whistleblowers podcast predicts the winners and losers from this summer’s World Cup

In a special preview episode of the World Cup Daily Mail’s Whistleblowers podcastHosts Ian Ladyman, Mark Clattenburg and Gordon Smart share their boldest predictions for this summer’s tournament.

The World Cup kicks off on Thursday with Mexico taking on South Africa at the Estadio Azteca, with matches split between the three host nations – the United States, Canada and Mexico – for the first time in the tournament’s nearly century-long history.

This summer’s competition will also be the biggest the World Cup has ever seen, with 16 more countries competing than at Qatar 2022.

Ladyman, Clattenburg and Smart discuss potential winners, pick players to watch and give their verdicts on how England will cope with the brutal heat and intense travel of a unique tournament.

Ian Ladyman

Evaluating the results according to the Daily Mail’s World Cup tipster, Football Editor Ladyman revealed that Spain won, while France, Germany and Argentina joined them in the semi-finals.

He believes England will be unable to cope with the conditions of playing the host nation on home soil in the round of 16 against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Despite his difficult first season at Liverpool, Ladyman has tipped German playmaker Florian Wirtz as a player to watch out for.

‘This competition will have a slower pace of play, so he will be able to spend more time with the ball. “I think this could help him get back to the top,” he said.

He believes England will be eliminated in the round of 16 against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

They also have high hopes for Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal, but the winger is struggling to be fit for Spain’s opening match against Cape Verde.

‘I was hoping Yamal would write his name everywhere. He will be on the field injured, but there are rumors that he will return in the second match. I hope that happens,’ Ladyman added.

Mark Clattenburg

Former referee and pundit Mark Clattenburg was slightly more optimistic about England’s chances, believing they would achieve success thanks to the low expectations surrounding Tuchel’s squad.

He was the only one of the three hosts who did not prevent England from reaching the semi-finals.

Tuchel received mixed reactions to his 26-man squad announcement, as he left out key players such as Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Luke Shaw from Gareth Southgate’s successful England squads.

Former referee turned pundit Mark Clattenburg was slightly more optimistic about England’s chances, believing they would overcome the low expectations surrounding Tuchel’s squad

The former referee said that Türkiye has ‘dark horses’ and named 21-year-old midfielder Arda Güler as the player to watch.

The former referee said that Türkiye has ‘dark horses’ and named 21-year-old midfielder Arda Güler as the player to watch.

‘I think Türkiye will do good things,’ he said. They won’t win, but they will do well.

‘Arda Güler is an actor. I also think Elliot Anderson can have a big tournament. ‘He’s performed quite well this season.’

Gordon Smart

Scottish broadcaster Smart has tipped both Switzerland and Ghana to have good tournaments.

Smart said he expects Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo to have an outstanding World Cup that could lead the African nation to the knockouts, despite a tough group that includes England and Croatia.

Scottish broadcaster Smart tips both Switzerland and Ghana to have good tournaments

Smart says he expects Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo to have a remarkable World Cup

As for England, Smart said he was not impressed with Tuchel’s squad and that the German was unlikely to take the country to the semi-finals.

‘I just can’t see,’ he said.

‘I don’t see anything about the England team.’

Listen to the full World Cup preview episode now by searching for Whistleblowers wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube.