How England can qualify for World Cup 2026 knockout phase after beating Croatia

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Evening Standard

·18 Juni 2026

How England can qualify for World Cup 2026 knockout phase after beating Croatia

Three Lions could also confirm top spot in Group L with a game to spare

England already have World Cup qualification in their sights after beating Croatia 4-2 in the opening Group L fixture.

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In a game of two halves, England went ahead twice in the opening period thanks to a retaken penalty by Harry Kane and a header from the captain shortly before the break.

However, on each occasion they were pegged back. Firstly by a Martin Baturina’s effort that flew into the top corner and then by a Petar Musa strike that survived a VAR review right on the stroke of half-time.

The second half brought about a huge improvement from the Three Lions, retaking the lead within minutes through Jude Bellingham before substitute Marcus Rashford sealed victory late on.

England head coach Thomas Tuchel reflected on the contrast of performances after the game, telling ITV about his message at half-time: “I said even if we lose, it will not change my perception of the last 17 days. But let’s do it our way.

“We’re too focused on the result, too focused on protecting what we anyway don’t have at the moment. The second goal was just an example. I think we were a back seven and we didn’t defend the goal. So why be a back seven anyway?

“If something happens, the result doesn’t go our way, we want to play this match the way we want to and the way we were together for 17 days. I just tried to encourage them to go for it.”

Jude Bellingham inspired England to victory over Croatia

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Victory for England means they top Group L after one game, ahead of Ghana - who beat Panama in the other fixture - by virtue of a superior goal difference.

Given this summer’s tournament has been expanded to 48 teams and eight of the best third-placed nations will qualify for the round of 32, it would take a bizarre sequence of events for the Three Lions to be eliminated at the group stage.

Tuchel’s side are back in action next Tuesday against Ghana at the Boston Stadium where they will have the chance to potentially seal top spot with a game to spare.

How England can qualify for World Cup knockout stage

Simply put, a win for England against Ghana and a place in the 2026 World Cup knockout phase will be confirmed. A draw would take things into the final game against Panama.

Victory should also be enough to finish first, thus facing one of the third-placed teams from Groups E/H/I/J/K in the round of 32.

Though, all scenarios will not be confirmed until after Croatia take on Panama in the early hours of Wednesday morning (UK time) as a win for either nation would keep the race for top spot alive.