England’s Opponents: France (Group F)

France are widely accepted to have the technical talent to be crowned world champions, and the same expectation was heaped on them at Euro 2013 before failure to dismiss Denmark at the quarter-final stage proved a brutal blow. After fourth place in Germany in 2011 and again at London 2012, questions about their mental toughness recur as often as the superlatives about their football. The next generation looks even better, with Griedge Mbock Bathy gliding through the Under-20 World Cup alongside Sandie Toletti and Claire Lavogez. In two years since Bruno Bini’s departure, Philippe Bergeroo has added strength training and a more direct, robust element. Recent friendly wins over Brazil, Japan, the USA, Canada and Germany suggest belief, but the question remains whether they can deliver when it matters.