World Cup 2018: Jurgen Klinsmann has fellow pundits Rio Ferdinand and Alan Shearer in stitches after backing England to win World Cup

JURGEN KLINSMANN had Rio Ferdinand and Alan Shearer in stitches, as he predicted England will win the World Cup.

The former Tottenham striker – who won the trophy with Germany in 1990 – had plenty of praise for Gareth Southgate's side after they beat Sweden 2-0 in the quarter-finals.

And despite his beloved Die Mannschaft being eliminated in the group stages, four years after clinching victory in Brazil, Klinsmann was generous with his verdict.

Host Gary Lineker asked him: "Looking at the teams that are remaining in the competition, Jurgen, Belgium, France, England, Croatia or Russia, who would you pick?

"And you don't have to say England just because we're here."

But instead of saying "England" he merely held up a card with the flag of St George on it.

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Klinsmann has added some non-Anglo balance to the production in Russia and gave praise to Raheem Sterling, despite the winger failing to score.

And Ferdinand and Shearer were equally as gushing over England's impressive showing.

Shearer said: "We just wanted them to embrace it, to try and enjoy it, to try and make a name for themselves.

"I thought at the start of the tournament we could perhaps get to a quarter finals.

"But they've just got a momentum, they've got a team spirit, that is just dragging them through.

"I thought it was their best performance, I know they battered Panama, they looked comfortable, they managed the game superbly well.

"They saw the game through and it was thorough and professional."