England are all-but through to the World Cup 2026 knockout phase despite being held to a goalless draw by Ghana. The Three Lions put themselves in a promising position to seal a place in the last-32 with a game to spare after beginning their World Cup campaign with a 4-2 win over Croatia.
Permutations for England
Facing Ghana in Boston on Tuesday night, the permutations for Thomas Tuchel’s side was simple; win and a place in the knockout phase would be guaranteed - whether that be as group winners or runners-up. However, England could not find a way past a resolute Ghana defence as Harry Kane wasted the best chance of the game late on, blasting the ball over from close range after Nico O’Reilly’s header had come back off the crossbar.
The result was not too damaging as Croatia’s win over Panama means Tuchel’s side can finish no lower than third in Group L, and four points will almost certainly be enough for the security blanket of progression to the next round as one of the best third-placed teams.
England's World Cup History
Only three times have England failed to progress past the group stage at a World Cup, the most recent example was 12 years ago in Brazil when they finished fourth behind Costa Rica, Uruguay and Italy. Since then, England have finished fourth and suffered a quarter-final exit on football’s biggest stage. To this date, the 1966 final remains England’s only World Cup final appearance, and Tuchel will hope his side can remain on track to earn a second gold star on their shirts come next month.
Who Will England Play in World Cup Last-32?
FIFA’s decision to prioritise the head-to-head record over goal difference means England are heavy favourites to win Group L. That will be confirmed as long as they beat Panama and match or better Ghana’s result against Croatia. Due to Tuesday evening’s goalless draw, England can still be pipped to top spot by Ghana by goal difference, so a big margin of victory over Panama is required just to be on the safe side.
If England do win Group L, they will face one of the best third-placed teams from Group E/H/I/J/K. At one stage this week, Portugal were down as England’s opponents - evoking memories from the infamous quarter-final showdown 20 years ago in Gelsenkirchen. Though after Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Portugal to a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan on Tuesday evening, the Euro 2016 champions are now second in Group K and have a far superior goal difference to DR Congo.
Potential Opponents
As things stand, England will face tournament debutants Cape Verde - who have held Spain and Uruguay in Group H - in the round of 32 at the Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Should Tuchel’s side drop a place and finish as runners-up in Group L, their reward will be a last-32 showdown against the runners-up from Group K, which at the moment is Portugal. In the unlikely scenario that England qualify as one of the best third-placed teams, they will face the winners of Group K, which is, as things stand, Colombia on Saturday, July 4.
