Gary Neville names the only team that can stop France from winning the World Cup

France strengthened their bid to win the 2026 World Cup as they effortlessly brushed aside Sweden 3-0 in the first knockout round on Tuesday night.

Kylian Mbappe scored twice and Bradley Barcola added another as Didier Deschamps' side showed exactly why they have been made the favourites to lift the trophy later this month.

It could easily have been more as well, after a scintillating first-half performance that saw them hit either post and have another goal disallowed for a narrow offside call.

France will now face Paraguay in the last 16, with the winner of that match set to face either Canada or Morocco in the quarter-finals. Les Bleus would also be the favourites for any semi-final tie, with Portugal, Croatia, Spain, Austria, USA, Bosnia, Belgium and Senegal also on their side of the draw. It means France can only meet the likes of Brazil, Argentina and England in the final.

Although there is still a chance that a talented team like Spain or Portugal establishes themselves as a strong contender for the trophy, France are the only team on their side of the draw that looked like a possible winner so far.

Deschamps' side have reached the World Cup final in each of the previous two editions, and Gary Neville can't see them being stopped again this time around.

Speaking as a pundit on ITV Sport, the Manchester United legend backed France to reach the final and warned that holders Argentina might be the only team that has any chance of stopping them from lifting the trophy.

"The only team I can see stopping France right now, because of the mentality, is Argentina. Because of the nastiness and the horribleness and their experience," Neville said.

"That’s the only team I can see that’s got the unity right now that I think could stand in front of France.

"Look, something may emerge. England, Spain, Portugal, we may see a step up. Let’s hope so."

France will face Paraguay in the next round after the South American side shocked Germany by beating the European side on penalties, the first time the four-time champions have ever lost a shootout in the competition.

They also made more history on Tuesday night when they became the first nation in the World Cup to have won seven in a row against UEFA sides, a record they will likely have to extend if they are to reach the final later this month.

Deschamps' side also became the first side to have scored three goals in five consecutive matches at the World Cup, seeing them make another piece of history at this tournament.