Football Dec 06, 2025

England's routes to 2026 World Cup final: How Three Lions could lift trophy on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
England's routes to 2026 World Cup final: How Three Lions could lift trophy on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium

England's path to the 2026 World Cup final has been revealed following Friday's draw in Washington DC.

The Three Lions have been handed an advantage already by FIFA's introduction of a Wimbledon-style seeding system, which means they cannot meet Spain or Argentina until the semis or France until the final, should all four countries win their respective groups.

England boss Thomas Tuchel was appointed in the autumn of 2024 with the sole mission of adding a second star to the England shirt to add to the one marking the 1966 World Cup.

And now Tuchel can start plotting England's path to glory at the tournament being co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico, with kick-off times and locations of games to be revealed by FIFA at 5pm UK time on Saturday, December 6.

So here is England's potential path to reaching the 2026 World Cup final on July 19 at the New York-New Jersey (MetLife) Stadium.

We’ve picked the most likely opponents England would face in those games based on the highest-ranking possible opponents from their route to the final.

June 17: England vs Croatia, Toronto or Arlington

June 23: England vs Ghana, Boston or Toronto

June 27: England vs Panama, East Rutherford or Philadelphia

July 1: England vs Third-placed Group E/H/I/J/K, Atlanta

July 5: England vs Mexico, Mexico City

July 11: England vs Brazil, Miami Gardens

July 15: England vs Argentina, Atlanta

July 19: England vs Spain, East Rutherford

June 17: England vs Croatia, Toronto or Arlington

June 23: England vs Ghana, Boston or Toronto

June 27: England vs Panama, East Rutherford or Philadelphia

July 2: England vs Colombia, Toronto

July 6: England vs Spain, Arlington

July 10: England vs Belgium, Inglewood

July 14: England vs France, Arlington

July 19: England vs Argentina, East Rutherford

This could also take England all the way. But because of the complicated way the third-placed qualification works, there are too many potential routes - which won't be finalised until the end of the group stages - to take into account at this point.

Tags:

football news id:13479783

Share this article

Related Posts

Republic of Ireland 2-2 Austria: Troy Parrott scores twice but hosts squander two-goal lead in Nations League as game interrupted by protests

Republic of Ireland 2-2 Austria: Troy Parrott scores twice but hosts squander two-goal lead in Nations League as game interrupted by protests

Troy Parrott scored twice but the Republic of Ireland were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw after Austria came back in the second half of their Nations...

Man City 1-1 Real Madrid: Bunny Shaw equaliser after Linda Caicedo opener as Women's Champions League game drawn amid late drama

Man City 1-1 Real Madrid: Bunny Shaw equaliser after Linda Caicedo opener as Women's Champions League game drawn amid late drama

Bunny Shaw and a dramatic last-gasp decision from the referee ensured Manchester City took a point off Real Madrid with a 1-1 draw in the Women's Cham...

Republic of Ireland 2-2 Austria: Troy Parrott scores twice but hosts squander two-goal lead in Nations League as game interrupted by protests

Republic of Ireland 2-2 Austria: Troy Parrott scores twice but hosts squander two-goal lead in Nations League as game interrupted by protests

Troy Parrott scored twice but the Republic of Ireland were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw after Austria came back in the second half of their Nations...

Wales 2-1 Norway: Craig Bellamy's side earn impressive first Nations League A win with Erling Haaland kept quiet

Wales 2-1 Norway: Craig Bellamy's side earn impressive first Nations League A win with Erling Haaland kept quiet

Wales responded to their disappointing defeat to Denmark with a spirited victory over Erling Haaland and 10-man Norway in Cardiff.Craig Bellamy had ad...

Mo Salah: Liverpool leave forward out of squad to face Inter Milan but he avoids disciplinary action over comments

Mo Salah: Liverpool leave forward out of squad to face Inter Milan but he avoids disciplinary action over comments

Liverpool have left Mohamed Salah out of Tuesday's Champions League squad to face Inter Milan, but the forward will not face any disciplinary action o...

WSL LIVE! Chelsea Women, Man City Women and Man Utd in action with three games live on Sky Sports plus free match highlights

WSL LIVE! Chelsea Women, Man City Women and Man Utd in action with three games live on Sky Sports plus free match highlights

Salah's bombshell interview plunges Liverpool future into doubtIn an explosive interview, Mohamed Salah has plunged his Liverpool future into doubt and suggeste...