England will secure their place in the World Cup knockout stages with a win over Ghana. Victory would put them in control of Group L and set up a potential run to the final. Here is a detailed look at who they could face at each stage.
Winning the Group: Last-32 Opponents
Securing top spot in Group L would send England to a round-of-32 tie against one of the highest-ranked third-placed nations from Groups E, H, I, J, or K. This knockout fixture is scheduled for July 1 in Atlanta at 5pm BST (12pm ET/9am PT). Current third-place contenders include Ecuador, Cape Verde, Senegal, Jordan, or Portugal, according to projections.
Round of 16 as Group Winners
If England overcome their first knockout hurdle, they would advance to the last 16, likely facing either the winner of Group A or a third-place team that beats its opponent. This crucial match takes place in Mexico City on July 6 at 1am BST (8pm ET/5pm PT). A potential clash against tournament co-hosts Mexico—confirmed as Group A winners—would test England in a hostile environment.
Quarter-Final Path
Should Thomas Tuchel's men reach the last eight, the game will be played in Miami on July 11 at 10pm BST (5pm ET/2pm PT). England's opponent would be the winner of the round-of-16 tie in New Jersey on July 5, contested between the Group C winner or Group F runner-up (currently Brazil vs Japan) and the Group E runner-up or Group I runner-up (currently Ivory Coast vs France).
Semi-Final Matchups
Assuming a quarter-final victory, England would head to Atlanta, Georgia, for a semi-final on July 15 at 8pm BST (3pm ET/12pm PT). The Three Lions would face the team emerging from Groups J and K, likely Argentina or Portugal, as they are projected to meet in the last eight in Kansas City.
Finishing Second in Group L
Ending the group stage as runners-up would drop England onto the other side of the draw. They would face the second-placed team from Group K, currently DR Congo but possibly Colombia or Portugal. This game kicks off in Toronto on July 2 at 12am BST (7pm ET/4pm PT).
Alternative Round of 16 as Runners-Up
If England advance from the last 32 as runners-up, a demanding last-16 fixture awaits on July 6 against the Group H winners (Spain look poised to secure that spot) or the runners-up from Group J (currently Austria). The match is in Arlington, Texas, at 8pm BST (3pm ET/12pm PT).
Quarter-Final Prospects as Runners-Up
Next would be the quarter-finals, where England exited the 2022 World Cup. They could face the winners of Group D (confirmed as USA) or Group G (currently Egypt). A potential clash against tournament hosts or Mohamed Salah's nation would take place on July 10 in Los Angeles at 8pm BST (3pm ET/12pm PT).
Semi-Final Opponents as Runners-Up
If England reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2018, a grudge match against France could await, provided France get past Germany and the Netherlands. The game would return to Arlington at 8pm BST (3pm ET/12pm PT).
World Cup Final Opponents
This would be England's second chance to win a World Cup since 1966. Projections suggest Argentina could be waiting, although Portugal cannot be ruled out. The final is at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19 at 8pm BST (3pm ET/12pm PT).
If England Finish Third
Though unlikely after winning their Group L opener against Croatia, it is mathematically possible. If England finish third, they must be eighth or above in the 'mini league table' of 12 third-placed teams to reach the round of 32. The third-placed team from Group L faces the Group K winner on July 3 in Kansas City, possibly Colombia or Portugal.
