YAYA TOURE reckons England will make it out of the group stages at the World Cup… but from things will get “tough” from there.
Instead the 39-year-old Tottenham youth coach can’t see past a South American team lifting football’s biggest prize.
Brazil and Argentina are well fancied by many, while Uruguay could have the capability to be dark horses.
But Manchester City legend Toure believes England will feel a “duty” to do well, which could make things difficult for the Three Lions.
Gareth Southgate’s side take on Iran on Monday, before further group games against USA and Wales.
Qualifying from Group B will see them take on either the Netherlands, Senegal, Ecuador or Qatar in the round of 16.
And Toure told talkSPORT: “You will see up there, you’re going to see a lot of different countries coming there just to try and enjoy and represent their country.
“I think it’s going to look like a duty for them and it’s maybe going to get tough for England.
“I’m confident in the first stage they maybe can go through, but after that, it can become tough.”
Toure, who played 101 times for Ivory Coast and appeared at three World Cups, admitted he wants a team from Europe to win.
PLAY OUR DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP FANTASY FOOTBALL GAME TO WIN A SHARE OF £50k
But with the South American teams, especially Brazil and Argentina, looking “scary”, Toure reckons that could be a tall order.
There hasn’t been a winner from outside of Europe since Brazil’s win in 2002, while Argentina last lifted the trophy in 1986.
Toure continued: “I’ve always fancied good teams and Brazil has always been the favourite of all the tournaments.
“Any tournament or World Cup they’ve played in, they’ve always been the favourites.
“I want a European team to win, but to be honest with you, the South American [countries] are looking really, really scary.
“Argentina recently, they’ve been winning, they won the Copa America. They are in good form, good coach, [Lionel] Messi’s up there.
“He’ll want to make a statement, Brazil as well, it’s going to be tough.”
