This article first appeared in Radio Times magazine.
Alan Shearer played 63 times for England but only at one World Cup Finals, in 1998.
This summer, he will be based in New York while travelling to different matches throughout this tournament for BBC commentary, and will be contributing to podcast The Rest Is Football, which will be on Netflix for the first time ever.
Here, he looks ahead to the matches with Radio Times and predicts how far England and Scotland will go.
What does the biggest-ever World Cup mean for viewers?
My one small concern is that the quality is not diluted because of the number of countries that are in it. But I think it’ll be brilliant. I’m lucky I’m going to be out there with the BBC and The Rest Is Football [podcast], flying here, there and everywhere with whatever the draw brings. I love the co-commentary, being in the stadium, having the atmosphere. I love the pressure of having to call it within a couple of seconds – that’s what makes co-comms a lot tougher than being a pundit. No time to think. More nerve-wracking.
Sixty years on from 1966, is this England’s time?
It could be. I’m hopeful of them getting to the quarter- or semi-finals, but I’m not sure they’ll win it. I hope I’m wrong. Deep into the tournament, I think we might come unstuck defensively. But up front and midfield, if everyone stays fit, we have as good a chance as any.
Scotland’s first World Cup Finals in 28 years – how momentous is it for them?
It’s pretty tough, but if they win one game they’ll likely qualify. So, beating Haiti would be a great way to start.
From your own World Cup experience, what advice would you give the players?
Try and take it in, try and somehow enjoy it, tough as it is. The noise for these guys is a lot louder than it was for us because of social media. But you might never play in another one. I played in one and count myself lucky.
Should fans dread a penalty shoot-out in the knockout stages?
It was all right at the last Euros [where England beat Switzerland on penalties in the quarter-finals]. You have to blank out what’s happening, stick to your routine, and have belief in where you’re going to put the ball. But I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. That walk from the halfway line to the spot is bloody long, and it’s longer on the way back if you haven’t scored. Fortunately, in shoot-outs I scored all of mine.
Quickfire:
Who is going to win the World Cup?
France, if they don’t have an in-house fight. The quality of their forward players – Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Kylian Mbappé – means two or three of those guys will have to be left out on every game. Similarly for Portugal. If Cristiano Ronaldo is content being left out or taken off, then Portugal might have a chance.
Dark horse?
Morocco – with Achraf Hakimi, anything’s possible. They could upset Brazil in their first match.
Team you’re most looking forward to seeing other than England or Scotland?
France, to assess their potential.
How far will England go?
The semi-final. The manager won’t be afraid to make big decisions, along with the ability we have, and the experience now of going deep into tournaments.
And Scotland?
Last 32. No further.
England’s key player?
If England are going to go deep, Harry Kane. This manager will get the best out of him.
And Scotland?
John McGinn – he’s had a really good season.
Player of the tournament?
Kylian Mbappé. We saw in the last World Cup final what he can do.
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