England’s journey through the 2026 World Cup has become clearer after the group stage draw and match schedule were revealed. The Three Lions face a challenging path, starting in Group L.
The team, under the guidance of their coach, will kick off their campaign against Croatia in Dallas on June 17. This match is a repeat of the 2018 semi-final, where England’s World Cup dreams were shattered in extra time. Following this, England will travel to Boston to face Ghana in their second group match, before concluding the group stage against Panama in New York. England previously faced Panama in the 2018 World Cup, securing a 6-1 victory.
The coach has stressed the importance of not underestimating any opponent and has set the goal of finishing top of the group. Let’s examine England’s potential route to the final, depending on their performance in Group L.
If England Win the Group
Finishing top of Group L would mean a quick turnaround for the team, with the group stage concluding on June 27 and the last-32 match scheduled for July 1. As group winners, England would likely face a third-place finisher from Group E, H, I, J, or K. This opens up the possibility of facing a diverse range of teams, including:
- Germany
- Curacao
- Ivory Coast
- Ecuador
- Spain
- Cape Verde
- Saudi Arabia
- Uruguay
- France
- Senegal
- Norway
- Argentina
- Algeria
- Austria
- Jordan
- Portugal
- Colombia
- Uzbekistan
- Plus two teams emerging from intercontinental play-offs.
This last-32 fixture would be held at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with a favourable 5pm GMT kick-off time for fans in the UK.
The highest-ranked possible opponent in the last-16, assuming the draw goes as expected, would be co-hosts Mexico. This match would take place at the Azteca Stadium, a venue with historical significance for England, as it was the site of Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ and ‘Goal of the Century’ in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals. Mexico, who play their national team matches at the stadium, would have the advantage of an extra day’s rest and minimal travel.
Here’s a summary of England’s potential path if they win the group:
- Last 32: Third place in Group E/H/I/J/K, Atalanta, July 1 at 5pm GMT
- Last 16: Mexico, Mexico City, July 5 at 1am GMT
- Quarter-finals: Brazil, Miami, July 11 at 10pm GMT
- Semi-finals: Argentina, Atlanta, July 14 at 8pm GMT
- Final: Spain, New York, July 19 at 8pm GMT
Two of Mexico’s group stage matches, as well as their last-32 tie, will also be held at the Azteca Stadium, with the other in Guadalajara.
This fixture would be particularly challenging for England fans back home, as the match would kick off at 1am GMT.
England’s likely quarter-final opponent on this path would be against record five-time winners Brazil. This potential fixture would take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on July 11 and would be a repeat of the 2002 World Cup quarter-finals, where England were defeated 2-1 by the eventual champions. The match would kick off at 5pm local time in Miami, meaning England would likely have to contend with heat and humidity, as July is typically the hottest month in Miami, with temperatures reaching 32 degrees Celsius.
Another South American opponent, reigning champions Argentina, could await in the semi-finals.
This match would be scheduled for the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on July 15, with an 8pm GMT kick-off. It would be the fifth time the two nations have met at a World Cup, with England winning in 1966 and 2002, while Argentina triumphed in 1986 and 1998.
Spain are the expected opponents in the final, potentially setting up a rematch of the Euro 2024 final, where they defeated England 2-1. Spain are currently top of the FIFA world rankings. The final will be held at the MetLife Stadium in New York on July 19, kicking off at 8pm GMT.
If England Finish Second
A second-place finish in Group L would see England head to Canada to face another runner-up, from Group K.
Here’s a breakdown:
- Last 32: Colombia, Toronto, July 2 at 12pm GMT
- Last 16: Spain, Dallas, July 6 at 7pm GMT
- Quarter-finals: Belgium, Los Angeles, July 10 at 5pm GMT
- Semi-finals: France, Dallas, July 14 at 7pm GMT
- Final: Argentina, New York, July 19 at 8pm GMT
Colombia are the most likely opponents in the last-32 in this scenario, as their group also contains Portugal, Uzbekistan and the winner of a play-off between DR Congo, Jamaica and New Caledonia. England overcame their major tournament penalty curse against Colombia at the 2018 World Cup, winning on penalties in the last-16. The last-32 match would be held at BMO Field in Toronto on July 2, kicking off at 12pm GMT.
England would then likely face a daunting last-16 tie against Spain, who are expected to win Group H. The Three Lions would return to the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, with the match scheduled for 7pm GMT.
Belgium emerge as the likeliest quarter-final opponents, although the United States would also be a possibility. England faced Belgium twice at the 2018 World Cup, losing both in the group stage and the third-place play-off. The quarter-final would be held at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Los Angeles on July 10, kicking off at 5pm GMT.
A third consecutive European opponent, France, could await in the semi-finals. France have reached the past two World Cup finals, winning in Russia 2018 and finishing as runners-up at Qatar 2022. Didier Deschamps’ side ended England’s hopes in Qatar in the quarter-finals. The match would be at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, the third time England would have played at the venue during the tournament. Kick off would be at 7pm GMT.
Should England navigate this challenging route, a potential final against reigning champions Argentina in New York awaits.
If England Finish Third
This is a scenario England and their coach would be desperate to avoid, requiring them to qualify as one of the eight best third-placed teams. As the final group drawn, England know that if they advance in third place, they are guaranteed to face the winner of Group K in the last-32, likely to be Portugal.
Here’s the potential path:
- Last 32: Portugal, Kansas, July 3 at 1.30am GMT
- Last 16: Canada, Vancouver, July 7 at 6pm GMT
- Quarter-final: Argentina, Kansas, July 11 at 1am GMT
- Semi-final: Brazil, Atlanta, July at 8pm GMT
- Final: Spain, New York, July 19 at 8pm GMT
The match against Portugal would take place in Kansas on July 3, with kick-off at 1.30am GMT. Victory would then take England to Vancouver, where they could face co-hosts Canada in the last-16, with Switzerland another possibility. Kick-off would be at 6pm GMT on July 7.
England would then have to return to Kansas for a quarter-final on July 11, with Argentina seen as the likeliest opponents. The match would kick off at 1am GMT.
Brazil or the side that topped England’s group would emerge as the most likely semi-final opposition in Atlanta, leading to a possible showdown against Spain in the final.
