England are into the World Cup 2026 knockout stages as Thomas Tuchel looks to be the man to end the country’s 60 years of hurt on the global stage.
The Three Lions topped Group L to set up a round of 32 clash against DR Congo on Wednesday, sandwiching an underwhelming draw against Ghana between wins against Croatia and Panama.
One round beyond that, the winner of Group A could await — going by Fifa rankings, that would be hosts Mexico, throwing England into the high-altitude cauldron of the Estadio Azteca.
But if they overcame that serious test of resolve, Brazil would be their quarter-final opponent, with Argentina, following a fine start with Lionel Messi’s hat-trick, then the potential semi-final opposition.
Top-ranked Spain would then share the final with England from the other side of the draw.
England’s possible route to World Cup final:
Group fixtures
17 June: England 4-2 Croatia | AT&T Stadium, Arlington
23 June: England 0-0 Ghana | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
27 June: England 2-0 Panama | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
Round of 32
1 July: England v DR Congo | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Round of 16
5 July: England vs Mexico | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Quarter-final
11 July: England vs Brazil | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Semi-final
15 July: England vs Argentina | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Final:
19 July: England vs Spain | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
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