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England only clicked into gear for a half against Croatia but they are safely through - Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images
England are through to the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup as group winners and will play either DR Congo or Senegal in the next round.
England were almost assured of a place in the knockout stages after two games, but Spain’s 1-0 win over Uruguay mathematically confirmed their spot in the last 32.
Wednesday’s win over Panama ensured they won Group L, and they will know whether they play DR Congo or Senegal by the early hours of Thursday.
Who will England play if they win the group?
Winning Group L means England will play one of the eight best third-placed teams. At the start of the tournament, that could have been the third-place team in Group E, H, I, J or K. Fifa published a list of the 495 possible fixture pairings involving third-placed teams.
The way results panned out prior to the Panama game narrowed England’s possible opponents down to the team from Group, I, J or K.Uruguay’s elimination from Group H, for instance, ruled out the possibility of playing Ecuador from Group E.
The possibility of England playing Algeria or Austria from Group J was ruled out by Croatia’s win over Ghana, so it is now one of two: Senegal or DR Congo.
England will play DR Congo if ...
DR Congo beat Uzbekistan in their final group match, kick-off 12.30am on Thursday (unless Portugal are thrashed by an improbable margin against Colombia).
England will play Senegal if ...
DR Congo draw or lose to Uzbekistan.
How could England’s route to the final look beyond the last 32?
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Round of 16
Monday July 6, 1am, Mexico City
Predicted opponents: Mexico
Given how well they have started the World Cup, Mexico would be the most likely opponents in the round of 16, and would be extremely dangerous in front of their own supporters at the Azteca. In fact, this is a match-up many feared before the tournament began, given the high altitude of Mexico City.
They won all of their group games against South Africa, South Korea and Czech Republic.
The potential third-placed teams Mexico could face in the round of 32 include Sweden. Sweden would be tough opponents but all the signs point to a showdown with the co-hosts in Mexico City.
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England could face a daunting task against Mexico at the famous Azteca Stadium - Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters
Quarter-final
Saturday July 11, 10pm Miami
Predicted opponents: Brazil
The most likely match here is another daunting one, especially as England have never beaten Brazil at a World Cup, though first Brazil will need to get past Japan in the last 32 before one of Norway or Ivory Coast in the last 16.
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England have never beaten Brazil at a World Cup finals - Getty Images
Semi-finals
Wednesday July 15, 8pm, Atlanta
Predicted opponents: Argentina
It is always dangerous to make any assumptions this far ahead about who will make up the final four teams at a World Cup. But based on reputation, talent and form so far at the tournament, the smart money would be on England meeting holders Argentina. It is a mouthwatering clash on paper, but the thought of facing Lionel Messi, in what will surely be his final World Cup, will also concern plenty of people.
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Lionel Messi would be a formidable foe in the semi-finals - Maja Hitij/Fifa via Getty Images
Other potential opponents include Portugal if they manage to win their group after a poor start. Longer shots include co-hosts United States or Egypt.
Final
Sunday July 19, 8pm, New Jersey
Predicted opponents: France
One of the advantages of winning their group is that England would avoid the side of the draw containing the strongest European nations such as Spain, France and Germany.
Presuming they avoid any upsets along the way, the most likely semi-final on that side of the draw would be France vs Spain.
I predicted France would reach the final before the tournament began and I would back them to beat the Spanish, setting up a classic final with echoes of the Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris St-Germain.
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Kylian Mbappe and co could be waiting in the final for Thomas Tuchel’s men - Jewel Samad/AFP via Getty Images
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