On Saturday, Mikel skippered a Nigeria side that lost 2-1 to a youthful Three Lions setup at Wembley, in a penultimate friendly for both sides before they get their campaign in Russia underway.
While the Super Eagles open with a tie against Croatia on June 16 - before clashes with Iceland and Argentina in Group D - Gareth Southgate's side, in Group G, face Tunisia two days later, before taking on Panama and Tunisia.
And the Tianjin Teda midfielder believes the attributes of the English side - which caused 'problems' for Gernot Rohr's side - place them well as one of the contenders for the much-coveted diadem.
"I think they have a very good chance of going all the way because the youthfulness and energy in this team... you can feel it," Mikel told reporters.
"I think the pace in the team, you can feel it, and that is why we had some problems in the first half. In the second half, we corrected some mistakes and played a lot better. I think the England team have a good chance."
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