Franz Beckenbauer has written off Germany and England`s chances of winning the World Cup in Korea and Japan.
Both team qualified from Group 9, England as group winners and Germany following a 5-2 aggregate play-off win over Ukraine.
But former Germany captain Beckenbauer insists neither side has the game to challenge the world`s best.
"Neither England nor Germany will win the World Cup, although both will qualify for the second stage," he added.
"Only two nations can win the World Cup. It will be either France or Argentina, they are the best."
"I remember the Euro 2000 championship and neither England nor Germany disturbed that competition," he said.
"England have a new coach, Sven Goran Eriksson, who has
different ideas that have changed and improved the side. But like Germany, they will not win the World Cup."
"Back to normal"
Beckenbauer is also adamant that Germany will gain revenge over England for the 5-1 qualifying defeat should the two nations meet again in next year`s finals.
"If we come up against England we shall beat them.
"That defeat will not happen again. It will be back to normal with a Germany victory," Beckenbauer told the Express newspaper.
Beckenbauer has been fiercely critical of the German national team, describing Rudi Voeller`s side as average.
He added: "I do not like to damage the German team with my comments, but the frustration inside of me swells like a volcano,"
