Carlo Ancelotti says Brazil and reigning champions France are the ‘strongest sides’ at the World Cup

Carlo Ancelotti has tipped Brazil and France to be the strongest teams at the 2022 World Cup, but also recommended looking out for England amid the other strong teams at the tournament.

The 63-year-old veteran of management is the only figure to have led title winning sides in each of the big five European leagues, in Italy, England, France, Germany, and most recently La Liga with Real Madrid.

However, Ancelotti faces an unprecedented challenge this season, with the domestic championship in Spain being paused in November and December for the World Cup in Qatar.

France won the 2018 World Cup with a 4-2 victory over Croatia in the final in Moscow, Russia

In an interview with Il Messaggero, the former Chelsea boss tipped his favourites to win international football’s most prestigious prize.

‘Brazil and France are the strongest teams, then I say Argentina, there is always [Lionel] Messi,’ Ancelotti said.

He went on to add: ‘Spain is the other big one to watch. I add England and Germany, teams that have begun a process of renewal’.

With Italy’s failure to qualify for Qatar, Ancelotti has named all of the other four big European countries where he has won domestic league titles.

The disruption to the status quo this term has generated a level of uncertainty among some coaches, who are not sure how players will be on their return from international duty.

Ancelotti is concerned about how his Real Madrid players will cope mentally with the situation

‘The post-world is the real question mark,’ Ancelotti told the Italian newspaper. ‘The main issue will not be the preparation to be remade, but the mental aspect.

‘Normally, after a tournament of this level players go on vacation, but this time they will have to return to base and return to work.

‘They won’t disconnect and this is the real question: what will be their physical and mental health when the championships start again?’

La Liga’s final games before the World Cup break will be played on or around November 9th, with fixtures suspended until the next matchday, scheduled for New Year’s Eve.

Ancelotti also revealed that his role with the whites of Real Madrid, set to run until 2024, will be his last role in management.

‘Madrid is the pinnacle of football, it makes sense to put an end to this experience here,’ he explained.

Real Madrid’s campaign has got off to the best possible start, winning the UEFA Super Cup in Helsinki – Ancelotti’s 24th major honour as a coach – and beating Almeria 2-1 in their opening La Liga fixture.