England will begin their 2026 World Cup campaign against Croatia, a rematch of the 2018 semi-final, after the draw in Washington DC placed them in Group L alongside Croatia, Panama, and Ghana. The group's matches will be played across four US cities—Dallas, Boston, New York/New Jersey, and Philadelphia—as well as Toronto, with venues and kick-off times to be confirmed from 5pm GMT on Saturday.
Croatia defeated England 2-1 in extra time in Russia, but England later beat Croatia 1-0 in their opening match of Euro 2021. England also faced Panama in 2018, winning 6-1 in the group stage, while they have never met Ghana at a World Cup. England manager Thomas Tuchel described the group as 'difficult', noting Croatia and Ghana as regular World Cup participants and admitting he knows little about Panama.
Scotland were drawn in Group C alongside Brazil, Morocco, and Haiti, a partial repeat of their 1998 World Cup group. The draw also produced a potential 'Group of Death' in Group I, featuring France, Senegal, Norway, and a playoff winner. Other notable groups include Group A with Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, and a playoff winner involving the Republic of Ireland.
If England win their group, they will face a third-placed team from groups E, J, I, H, or K in the last 32. Victory could then lead to a match against the Group A winners, with a potential quarter-final against Brazil and a semi-final against Argentina, following seeding changes by Fifa to prevent the top four sides from meeting earlier.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino was a prominent figure at the draw, awarding a new peace prize to Donald Trump, who gave a two-minute speech praising ticket sales. The draw also featured a recorded skit with former England international Rio Ferdinand.
