Singh has reportedly backed France from the outset, saying: “I have been backing them from the very beginning.” His argument is less about one superstar than a squad capable of sharing the scoring burden while becoming more secure defensively.
Kylian Mbappe remains central, but Singh also highlighted the environment around him, pointing to the “mutual respect” between players and coach. That balance could prove decisive as the opposition becomes stronger and the margin for error disappears.
Argentina’s path looks less convincing than it once did. Singh reportedly described the quarter-final as potentially “do-or-die” after two difficult recent performances, although he still expects the holders to progress if Messi produces a defining moment.
The England-Norway tie appears to be the closest of the remaining tests. Norway have reportedly benefited from the developing partnership between Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland, while England’s depth and Premier League experience give them the edge. “This team is very well equipped,” Singh said of England.
For readers studying the knockout markets, Singh’s assessment points towards three possible approaches:
The next knockout fixtures will test whether France’s balance survives elite opposition, whether Argentina can reduce the burden on Messi, and whether England’s depth overwhelms Norway’s collective effort. As Singh put it: “It's showing the gap between the so-called big nations is very small.”