Alexi Lalas weighs who reigns in Europe as Spain and England headline the international window
Italy and Switzerland’s prospects
Lalas says Italy has struggled in recent World Cups but won the European championship in 2020. He expects the team to challenge even a strong France side, particularly at the San Siro.
Switzerland, meanwhile, has kept up its momentum after reaching the World Cup quarterfinals. The team has won all four Nations League matches and is positioned to earn promotion to League A in the next edition.
Belgium and the Dutch sides
Belgium remains a quality team, Lalas says, though its golden generation is fading. Kevin De Bruyne is in the squad, Romelu Lukaku left because of injury, and Jérémy Doku is viewed as a future star.
The Netherlands has been inconsistent but appears to be improving. Virgil van Dijk will miss the upcoming games through injury, while Cody Gakpo gives the side a potent goal threat; the passage also points to difficult fixtures for Greece and Germany under manager Xavi Hernández.
Norway and Germany face tests
Norway sits last in its Nations League group and risks relegation to League B. Lalas notes that two winnable games and Erling Haaland’s scoring record offer hope: the striker has 65 goals in 59 international matches.
Germany manager Jürgen Klopp is still settling into the role, with the task of restoring the team to its traditional standing. Kai Havertz, Florian Wirtz and Joshua Kimmich provide quality, but Lalas describes the squad as aging and notes Niclas Füllkrug’s continuing importance.
Portugal, England and France
Lalas says Portugal’s position could change after Cristiano Ronaldo’s international retirement. For England, he considers whether Harry Kane will feel pressure after winning the Ballon d’Or, but says the striker adapts well and is already the country’s all-time leading scorer.
Kane is also set to become England’s leading appearance-maker when he plays Croatia or Spain. France has depth despite injuries to Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Aurélien Tchouaméni, with Michael Olise among the available stars.
Spain leads the top group
France’s match against Italy may be closer than expected, Lalas says, and the meeting recalls the 2006 World Cup final, where Zinedine Zidane was involved. Mbappé will miss the Italy game with a hamstring injury.
Spain is the reigning World Cup champion, though Lamine Yamal will miss the Czechia match with an injury. Lalas expects Spain to win that game and hopes Yamal returns against England, a matchup he calls the window’s standout; he also places Portugal and England among Europe’s elite.
Key points
- Lalas expects Italy to challenge France despite Italy’s recent World Cup struggles.
- Switzerland has won all four Nations League games and could reach League A.
- Norway risks relegation, but Erling Haaland has scored 65 international goals in 59 matches.
- Spain, Portugal and England are identified as part of Europe’s leading group.