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Who will England play at World Cup 2026? Dates, kick-off times and full schedule revealed
As we roll into 2026, thoughts start to turn to the summer and England's bid to win the World Cup for the first time in sixty years.
Thomas Tuchel's side will meet Croatia, Ghana and Panama, having been drawn against each other in Group L.
Croatia are the highest-ranked team (10) in Group L and famously defeated the Three Lions in the semi-finals of the competition in 2018.
England and Panama (30) have also played each other in the World Cup, with Harry Kane leading his side to a 6-1 win in the 2018 group stage. Ghana (72) are the lowest-ranked nation in the Three Lions' group and have not played each other since a 1-1 draw at Wembley Stadium in 2011.
The 2026 edition of the FIFA World Cup sees history made, with a record 48 nations competing across three host nations in the USA, Canada and Mexico, at 60 venues.
It means for the first time, there will be a Round of 32 introduced at a World Cup.
(Getty Images)
England's World Cup 26 Group: Who will England play?
In the expanded World Cup, there are now 12 groups of four teams.
Each nation plays each other once, with the top two automatically qualifying for the knockout stages. Then the eight best third-place sides from the 12 groups also go through.
England are in Group L and will face Croatia, Ghana and Panama.
Group L
| Group L |
| England |
| Croatia |
| Ghana |
| Panama |
England World Cup 26 fixtures: Dates, kick-off times, venue
England will kick off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Croatia on Wednesday, June 17 before they play Ghana six days later on Tuesday, June 23.
They will then wrap up their Group L campaign against Panama on Saturday, June 27
- Wednesday, June 17: England vs. Croatia - AT&T Stadium, Arlington
- Tuesday, June 23: England vs. Ghana - Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
- Saturday, June 27: Panama vs. England - MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
Who could England play in the knockout stages?
The top two in each group qualify for the World Cup knockout stages, with the eight best third-placed also progressing. That means for the first time in World Cup history, a Round of 32 will be played.
With England in Group L, it means if they top the group, they will face a third-placed team based on ranking. If they finish second, they will face the runners-up of Groups K, E, I, D or G.
If they finish as one of the best third-place nations, then it is not yet known who they could face.
If England progress from that first knockout match, they then face a Round of 16 game, followed by a quarter-final, semi-final in order to potentially reach the final on July 19, 2026.
Getty
When is the FIFA World Cup 26?
The tournament kicks off June 11, 2026, with host nation Mexico taking on South Africa at the famed Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Nearly six weeks later, the last of the 104 games - the World Cup 26 Final - will be played at MetLife Stadium just outside of New York City on July 19, 2026.
World Cup 2026 format and schedule
With 48 nations involved at this World Cup, there will be 12 groups of four teams each.
The top two in each group qualify for the knockout stages, with the eight best third-place teams also progressing. That means for the first time in World Cup history, a Round of 32 will be played.
World Cup schedule and key dates:
- Group stages: June 11-27
- Round of 32: June 28-July 3
- Round of 16: July 4-7
- Quarter-finals: July 9-11
- Semi-finals: July 14-15
- Bronze final: July 19
- Final: July 19
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