Emmanuel Petit names the only player who cost could England the World Cup

France legend Emmanuel Petit believes England could win the World Cup but thinks one player might cost them that chance.

The Three Lions opened their campaign with a 4-2 win over Croatia in Texas on Wednesday. Harry Kane netted a first-half brace, with Jude Bellingham and substitute Marcus Rashford adding to the scoreline after the break.

The result puts Thomas Tuchel's side top of Group L on goal difference, level on points with Ghana. England face Ghana next on Tuesday night.

England can guarantee they will top the group thanks to a little-known FIFA rule change for the World Cup, with group stage standings now being settled on head-to-head records rather than goal difference.

If England beat Ghana and Croatia fail to beat Panama, Tuchel’s men will progress as group winners with one game to spare, potentially allowing some extra rest for star players off the back of gruelling club campaigns.

Petit, who won the World Cup with France in 1998, believes England are among the contenders to win the entire tournament but cast doubt over Jordan Pickford following the opening group game.

He said: "I was not really impressed by Pickford.

“I think he should have done better on the first goal, definitely. He made some saves, but I don't know, I don't feel it."

Croatia's equaliser arrived in the 36th minute through Martin Baturina, who fired from distance into the top corner with Pickford only able to get a hand to it.

"If you want to go until the end, you need to have one of the strongest goalkeepers in the competition," Petit added. "And that's my opinion.

“You may disagree with me, but I'm not really confident with him.

"With the ball at his feet, especially on the line, sometimes when he goes for a free kick or corner, I always have the feeling that something could happen."

Jordan Pickford has been criticised for his performance against Croatia (Getty)

Petit isn’t the only man to question the Everton goalkeeper during the tournament with ex-Watford striker Troy Deeney insisting Tuchel can’t win the World Cup with the ex-Sunderland man in between the sticks.

The former Watford striker tore into Pickford on CBS Sports, insisting England can't win the tournament with him in goal.

"We're trying to win a World Cup,” Deeney said. “That's why we're here. In my opinion, and respectfully Jordan, because you know I like you. We can't win it with that guy in goal. He doesn't give you any confidence."

Pickford won his 85th England cap against Croatia and has kept 44 clean sheets for his country.

Joe Hart explains goalkeeping errors during World Cup

Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart has potentially offered an explanation for Pickford’s below-par showing in the first game, suggesting this summer's Trianda ball is causing problems for goalkeepers on long-range efforts.

"I honestly feel like this ball is coming onto the goalkeepers a lot faster than they feel it is off the foot," Hart said of Croatia's first goal.

"Now, what you notice with this is Jordan Pickford flies at this ball, and he just doesn't. You'll ask, 'Why has he gone with his thumb rather than his hand?' It just feels like it is on him."

Hart pointed to the Jabulani at the 2010 World Cup, which wreaked havoc with its unpredictable movement and led to a string of freak goals.

Pickford is almost guaranteed to retain his place in England’s starting XI for the Ghana game with James Trafford and Dean Henderson waiting in the wings if Tuchel opts to make a change at any point during the tournament.