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Wayne Bridge has praised Nico O’Reilly for his impressive development and believes the Manchester City full-back is ready to make a major impact for England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Despite having only five senior caps for the Three Lions before the tournament, O’Reilly has quickly established himself as Thomas Tuchel’s first-choice left-back, earning plaudits for his consistency and composure.

Bridge, who knows the demands of the position well from his own playing career, spoke highly of the 21-year-old’s potential, highlighting his impressive mix of physical strength and technical skill.

Speaking to Freebets.com, Bridge said, “He’s one of my favourite players this season. I’ve admired him ever since he broke onto the scene.”

He continued, “He began as a midfielder but transitioned into full-back seamlessly. He often finds himself in attacking positions inside the box, and he’s a big presence. He’s comfortable on the ball no matter where he is — whether he’s in the attacking third or receiving the ball wide under pressure.”

Bridge added, “You just hope England’s style will differ from Manchester City’s, but I think he’s adaptable to any system. This could be the tournament where he truly announces himself on the world stage.”

The former England defender is also optimistic about Tuchel’s options in midfield and believes there is enough depth in wide positions to manage if Bukayo Saka struggles with fitness issues.

“I’d expect Saka to start, but he’ll need a medical evaluation. There are solid alternatives — Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon. As crucial as Saka is, I think England have enough quality in the squad to handle his absence if necessary,” Bridge explained.

He continued, “At this level, you usually know whether you’re fit enough to play. The medical team will be aware too. Wayne Rooney, for example, had an incredible drive and would push his body beyond limits, but the key is not to risk anyone who might harm the team or themselves at such a big event.”

Much debate has surrounded Tuchel’s decision to exclude Cole Palmer and Phil Foden from the final squad. Bridge admitted he would have taken Palmer but insisted England still possess enough firepower to advance far in the tournament.

“Like many fans — especially Chelsea supporters — I was wondering why Palmer wasn’t starting when he was scoring freely. It’s been a challenging season for him, but I probably would have taken him. It’s a difficult job, and football is full of opinions,” Bridge said.

He added, “I like Rashford and Gordon — they’re direct and dangerous. People focus too much on who’s been left out. The squad has enough talent to perform well. Personally, I love Palmer and Foden, but they haven’t been at their best. Palmer might have edged in — I’d have taken him, to be honest.”

Bridge continued, “If Rashford starts, Gordon can come on with fresh legs. Madueke brings pace, and Harry Kane’s quality speaks for itself. There are plenty of players capable of turning a game.”

However, Bridge admitted he fears England may once again fall short of ending their 60-year wait for a major men’s trophy, predicting France to lift the title instead.

“If I’m chatting with my mates over a pint, I’d say it could go either way — we might be brilliant or struggle badly. That’s tournament football. Anything can happen,” he said.

“There could be surprises too — Morocco look dangerous, Japan could be a dark horse. But if I had to choose one, it would be France. Sadly, I’m not backing England, but I’d love to see them go all the way.”