Football legends left red-faced with their prediction that #QAT 🇶🇦 would knock #ENG 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 out of the #FIFAWorldCup

SHOCKER 

Football legends who predicted Qatar to knock England out end up looking silly as Samuel Eto’o, Cafu and Tim Cahill’s bold World Cup picks backfire

Cafu, Samuel Eto’o and Tim Cahill have been left red-faced with their prediction that Qatar would knock England out of the World Cup.

The trio of Qatar 2022 ambassadors – all football legends in their own countries – were asked to guess how the tournament would unfold, and all three had the hosts dumping England out in the last 16 – but they won’t even be there.

Qatar became the World Cup’s worst ever home nation with zero points, one goal and a minus-six goal difference, exiting Group A in last place as the Netherlands and Senegal progressed.

Now, following England’s 3-0 win against Wales, the Three Lions will take on Senegal in the last 16, with Qatar nowhere to be seen.

It doesn’t come as a huge shock either, with England entering the tournament ranked fifth in the world by FIFA after their 2018 semi-final appearance.

Meanwhile, Qatar arrived for their first ever World Cup ranked 45 places back in 50th, with only Saudi Arabia and Ghana lower of the 32 teams in Doha.

It would have been a surprise for Cafu, Eto’o and Cahill, though, who were all backing the host nation to not only make it out of their group, but beat England before falling to France in the quarter-finals.

A cynic may suggest there was some bias involved from the men, with Cameroon legend Eto’o picking his country to win the tournament, while Cafu did the same for Brazil.

Australia great Cahill also predicted the Socceroos would beat Argentina in the last 16 before being knocked out by Senegal in the next round.

Prior to the tournament starting, former Everton star Cahill was slightly more optimistic about England’s chances.

“The team is in good shape, three players in every position, it is after the group stages when they will be tested,” he told talkSPORT.

“If you let the reins off and let them be free, I think you will see an incredible England team. There is goals.

“When you look at the team, structurally it is about winning games but to win games you need to let these players express themselves.”