"I am sure Algeria can go far in the tournament and I know what I am talking about," the retired midfielder told Algerian paper Echorouk.

Petit scored in the 1998 final against Brazil to help France win their first and only World Cup.

He also has experience in the English football, playing for Arsenal between 1997 and 2000 and winning the Premier League and FA Cup before leaving to Barcelona.

His stint with the Catalans lasted only one year and he returned to the Premier League but with Chelsea, where he played for three years.

Asked if Algeria could beat England in their Group C game, Petit said: "May be, everything is possible."

"England have injured players and others who are not playing regularly for their clubs as well as other problems.

"When African teams play with their famous enthusiasm and strong will, they can do miracles."

Ironically, Petit believes it would be more difficult for Algeria to overcome USA.

"They are improving in an astonishing pace. I believe they can win the World Cup," he said.

"If Algeria could hold USA to a draw, this would be a great result for them," added Petit. Algeria also play Slovenia in the same group.