England face Croatia in their World Cup opener, and their potential path to the final could be impacted by the result in their first game.
What happens if England win their group?
If England finish first in Group L, they will compete in the Round of 32 against one of the best third-placed teams from Groups E, H, I, J, or K. This match is set to take place at 12pm local time (5pm BST) on July 1 in Atlanta and could end up involving Spain after the Euro 2024 winners were held in their first group game.
Who could England face in the round of 16 as group winners?
A victory in England's Round of 32 match would propel the squad into the Round of 16, where they would likely face the winner of Group A or a third-placed team that pulled off an upset in the previous round. This crucial game is scheduled for July 5 at 6pm local time (1am BST on July 6) in Mexico City and could come against hosts Mexico, who would likely have a lively crowd cheering them on.
What would the quarter-finals bring?
Should England emerge victorious in the Round of 16, they will advance to the final eight of the tournament. This high-stakes quarter-final match will kick off at 5pm local time (10pm BST) in Miami on July 11 and Brazil could provide the opposition if they win Group C and make it through two knockout ties.
Who might England play in the semi-finals?
A win in the quarter-finals would see the team travel to Georgia for a decisive semi-final clash at 3pm local time (8pm BST) in Atlanta on July 15. The winners of groups B, J or K could await, meaning a match-up against holders Argentina is a possibility.
What happens if England are second in the group?
If England finish as the runner-up in Group L, they will enter a different section of the bracket, facing the runner-up from Group K (Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan or Colombia) in the round of 32. This opening knockout game will kick off at 7pm local time (Midnight BST) in Toronto on July 2.
What other round of 16 matches are possible?
Successfully navigating the Round of 32 would lead to a challenging Round of 16 fixture against the winner of Spain's group (Group H) or the runner-up from Group J on July 6. The team would play this game at 2pm local time (8pm BST) in Arlington, Texas.
Who might England face in the quarter-finals?
Should England advance as group runners-up and win their Round of 16 clash, they will secure a place in the quarter-finals—the stage at which they were eliminated in 2022. This match will kick off at 12pm local time (8pm BST) in Los Angeles on July 10, where the winner of Group I could provide the opposition.
Who will England's semi-final opponents be?
A victory in the quarter-finals path would push the squad to the semi-final stage, with France among the potential opponents after knocking out the Three Lions in 2022. This massive game is set for 2pm local time (8pm BST) in Arlington on July 14.
When is the 2026 World Cup final?
Regardless of which side of the bracket they find themselves in, England’s ultimate goal is the World Cup final, which will be held at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. This monumental match to determine the world champion will kick off at 3pm local time (8pm BST) on July 19 and could offer England a chance to win their first World Cup title since 1966.
