Who will England face on their path to possible World Cup Glory? | OneFootball

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will get underway in just three days’ time, but England fans will have to wait until June 17th to see their side get underway. The Three Lions will kick off proceedings against Croatia next Wednesday in their first group-stage game, before taking on Ghana and Panama in the following two matches.

If England win the group

Thomas Tuchel’s side are favourites to win the group, and if they deliver on that, then they will face off against one of the best third-place qualifiers, from groups E, H, I, J or K in the Round of 32.

If every group were to go as the bookmakers expect it to, England would most likely meet DR Congo (Group K) in the first knockout round. This opponent is particularly hard to pick, as there are nearly 500 possible outcomes for England’s R32 clash, depending on their group and others.

Should England beat DR Congo, which many would expect them to, it would most likely set up a Round of 16 tie with Mexico at the Azteca in Mexico City, which would be an exceptionally tough game to deal with. Almost reminiscent of Colombia v England in the 2018 World Cup, where England fans were severely outnumbered by the Colombian’s support inside the stadium.

If the Three Lions can see off a rampant home crowd, though, then it looks as though they will meet Brazil in the quarter-final, where their run begins to get considerably more difficult. Carlo Ancelotti’s men are fourth favourites for the tournament, only slightly longer odds than England. This game would take place on Saturday, July 11th, in Miami.

Win that, and it’s likely England will run into defending champions Argentina in the semi-final. Lionel Messi’s side have won the last three major international tournaments they have taken part in. Lifting the last two Copa America trophies in 2021 and 2024, respectively, and, of course, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, following an unforgettable final against France.

Spain are the most likely opponent to be waiting in the final for England, which would be a replay of the 2024 Euro’s Final in Berlin, with England fans hoping for a better outcome this time around.

If England finish second

However, there is also the possibility that England will finish second in their group. If they are to do that, then their most likely route would see them take on the runners up from Group K in the Round of 32, which is most likely to be Colombia. However, it could also be DR Congo, Uzbekistan or Portugal if the group doesn’t go as expected.

Win that game, and England will take on whoever wins the July 2 round-of-32 tie in Los Angeles between the winners of Group H and the runner-up from Group J. Which is most likely to be a Spain side that have pipped Uruguay to the top of their group before seeing off Algeria or Austria.

If England sneak past the Spaniards, then they would most likely take on Belgium in the quarter-finals, assuming they top Group G and progress through the first two knockout rounds.

The side that beat England at the last World Cup, France, would probably await in the semi-final. However, they have a very tricky run through the World Cup, with a potential clash against Germany in the Ro16 and the Netherlands in the quarter-final. If they get through those, they will be England’s opponent here.

Anybody from the other side of the draw could be in the final against England; should they make it there, it would most likely be Argentina that would stand between Harry Kane and football’s biggest trophy.