England could seal their place in the 2026 World Cup knockout stages tonight, ensuring their progression with a match to spare in Group L.
Thomas Tuchel’s side are top of Group L on four points, following an impressive opening win against Croatia and then a 0-0 stalemate against Ghana on Tuesday night.
The format of the 48-team World Cup, however, means England’s place in the last-32 could be secured ahead of playing Panama in their final fixture on Saturday.
England are guaranteed to finish in the top three places of Group L, with Panama already eliminated due to the head-to-head tiebreaker following defeats to Ghana and Croatia.
And, with four points, England only need the third-place team in four of the 12 groups to finish on three points. There are already two: South Korea in Group A and Scotland in Group C.
How England can qualify for the World Cup knockout stages tonight – and who they could play in the knockout stages
Thursday 25 June
Fixtures
Curacao vs Ivory Coast (Group E) – 9pm BST
Ecuador vs Germany (Group E) – 9pm BST
Japan vs Sweden (Group F) – 12am BST
Tunisia vs Netherlands (Group F) – 12am BST
Paraguay vs Australia (Group D) – 3am BST
Turkey vs USA (Group D) – 3am BST
What England need:
The only way a team in Group E finishes third on four points is if both Ecuador beat Germany and Curacao beat Ivory Coast. A draw in either game, or a win for either Germany or Ivory Coast, would move England one step closer.
In Group F, the current third placed team, Sweden, have three points and face Japan who are second with four. England require a victory for Japan so Sweden finish on three points.
In Group D, Australia and Paraguay are second and third on three points but meet in their final game. The losers of that match would end the group with three points. If combined with either of the above scenarios, England would be through to the last-32 by Friday morning.
Who will England face in the round of 32 if they top Group L?
England would still have work to do to top Group L, and will do so if they beat Panama and better Ghana’s result against Croatia. Since England and Ghana drew 0-0, it would come down to goal difference to determine who finishes top if they are level on points. Ghana could overhaul England if they beat Croatia by a big scoreline. An England win, combined with a draw between Ghana and Croatia, or a Croatia win, would confirm it.
In that scenario, they will face the third-place team from one of Group E/H/I/J/K in the round of 32. As things stand, these are the teams that could be in the mix to face the Three Lions:
- Group E: Ecuador, Curacao, Ivory Coast
- Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia
- Group I: Senegal, Iraq
- Group J: Algeria, Austria
- Group K: Portugal, DR Congo
Who will England face in the knockouts if they finish as runners-up?
If England were to finish as group runners-up, they will face the second-placed team from Group K – that will be decided in a shootout between Colombia and Portugal. If Colombia avoid defeat, it would be Portugal – assuming DR Congo don’t win by a massive scoreline against Uzbekistan.
What is England’s route to the final?
In the last-16, England could face Group A winners Mexico in the high-altitude cauldron of the Estadio Azteca.
If they overcame that serious test of resolve, Group C winners Brazil could be their quarter-final opponent.
Argentina, following a fine start with Lionel Messi’s five goals, may then be their potential semi-final opposition.
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