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

St Mirren 1-0 Partick Thistle (Agg: 2-1): Marcus Fraser volley keeps Buddies in Scottish Premiership

St Mirren 1-0 Partick Thistle (Agg: 2-1): Marcus Fraser volley keeps Buddies in Scottish Premiership

Marcus Fraser's close-range volley kept St Mirren in the William Hill Premiership as the Buddies beat Partick Thistle 1-0 in the play-off final.The de...

Crystal Palace vs Rayo Vallecano: How Oliver Glasner's Eagles reached Europa Conference League final

Crystal Palace vs Rayo Vallecano: How Oliver Glasner's Eagles reached Europa Conference League final

Game 60. The longest season in Crystal Palace's history has reached its final destination. Leipzig.Their European journey started so long ago that Ebe...

Tottenham: Gary Neville labels Spurs' season as 'pathetic' as Roberto De Zerbi plans to build a 'dream' team

Tottenham: Gary Neville labels Spurs' season as 'pathetic' as Roberto De Zerbi plans to build a 'dream' team

Tottenham avoided Premier League relegation but Gary Neville has branded their season "pathetic" and called on the ownership to conduct a thorough rev...

Premier League set for big managerial shake-up this summer with at least five clubs making a change in the dugout

Premier League set for big managerial shake-up this summer with at least five clubs making a change in the dugout

Chelsea and Manchester United have already made big decisions over who will be in the dugout for them moving forward. Pep Guardiola has decided to lea...

Bruno Fernandes transfer news: Man Utd captain has £57m release clause in contract as club work on new deal - Paper Talk

Bruno Fernandes transfer news: Man Utd captain has £57m release clause in contract as club work on new deal - Paper Talk

The top stories and transfer rumours from Tuesday's newspapers...Manchester United have started talks to keep Bruno Fernandes despite a £57m release c...

Liverpool transfer news: Arne Slot set to bring in new assistant Etienne Reijnen, Alisson Becker set to stay and Ibrahima Konate's future unclear

Liverpool transfer news: Arne Slot set to bring in new assistant Etienne Reijnen, Alisson Becker set to stay and Ibrahima Konate's future unclear

Liverpool are set to have a busy summer transfer window - so what is next for the Anfield club?There is a lot of speculation about how Liverpool move...