We now know the likeliest route to the final of the 2026 World Cup for Thomas Tuchel's England after the draw in Washington paired the Three Lions with Croatia, Panama and
The four pots used for the World Cup draw were based on FIFA rankings, with the exception of co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States all being in Pot 1.
We already knew that England could not play holders Argentina or fellow heavyweights Brazil, Spain, France and Germany until the knockout stages.
In fact, the Three Lions cannot face France until the final as long as both countries win their respective groups, such is the way FIFA has structured the bracket to keep the top-ranked sides relatively separate.
Croatia (10th) were the highest-ranked team England could have drawn, with a cap of two UEFA teams per group, which meant it was confirmed they would not be in the same group as Scotland very quickly.
There will be 16 UEFA nations overall once March's playoff round is complete, while all other confederations can only have one representative in each group.
Let's dive into England's confirmed group opponents and likeliest route to the World Cup final!
England World Cup Draw: Group L
| Nation (FIFA ranking) | Pot | Confederation |
| England (4) | 1 | UEFA |
| Croatia (10) | 2 | UEFA |
| Panama (30) | 3 | CONCACAF |
| Ghana (72) | 4 | CAF |
If England qualify for the knockout round as group winners, they would face one of the eight best third-placed sides.
For the purpose of plotting their route to the final, let’s assume they sweep all before them to win the group and smash through the knockouts to win the tournament (13/2 Virgin Bet).
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England vs. Third-placed side: Round of 32
This will be the third-placed side from Group I if they qualify, and will be one of France, Norway or Senegal.
The "Group of Death" from the draw, let's plump for the African giants and a repeat of the round of 16 clash from 2022.
Senegal will once again make their presence felt on football's biggest platform. They sealed top spot in Group B of African qualifying, finishing the job in style with a commanding 4-0 win over Mauritania that pushed them clear of DR Congo.
Now bound for Canada, Mexico and the USA, Senegal will be aiming to at least recreate the magic of their unforgettable 2002 debut, a campaign that included their famous upset of reigning champions France and a remarkable run to the quarterfinals.
And if there's anyone who understands the spirit of that golden adventure, it's head coach Pape Thiaw. A member of that famous 2002 squad, Thiaw delivered the assist for Henri Camara's extra-time winner against Sweden in the Round of 16, and he has brought that same belief to the touchline.
Since stepping into the role, he has carried on Aliou Cisse's work without missing a beat, stretching Senegal's impressive unbeaten run, guiding them smoothly through qualifying, and overseeing standout results such as the 3-1 triumph over England in a June 2025 friendly.
With history behind them and momentum on their side, the Lions of Teranga head to North America ready to roar again.
- Current FIFA world ranking: 19
- Regional ranking: 2nd (CAF)
- World Cup titles: 0
- World Cup appearances (last): 3 (Qatar 2022)
- How qualified: CAF Group B winners: W7-L0-D3
- Coach: Pape Thiaw (Senegal) since December 2024
- Key player(s): Pape Matar Sarr (Spurs), Nicolas Jackson (Bayern Munich), Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace)
England vs. Mexico: Round of 16
Once considered the dominant force in CONCACAF and a rising power on the global football stage, Mexico have stagnated in recent decades. El Tri were eliminated from the World Cup in the Round of 16 for seven straight tournaments from 1994-2018. Only twice have they achieved a coveted quarterfinal place, and both of those were on home soil (1970, 1986).
Then, in 2022, the unthinkable happened: instead of taking that long-awaited step forward, they took a step back, eliminated from Qatar in the group stage. That threw the Mexican federation into turmoil, seeing the end of Tata Martino’s reign and starting a coaching carousel that chewed up and spit out Diego Cocca and Jaime Lozano. They finally settled on Javier Aguirre for his third stint in charge of the national team.
Aguirre has managed to stabilize the performances since his arrival, even re-integrating ousted star Hirving “Chucky” Lozano into the picture. Still, the national team will expect real progress in 2026, rather than another dud, or else further questions will be asked about the trajectory of the Mexican federation.
- Current FIFA world ranking: 15th
- Regional ranking: 2nd (CONCACAF)
- World Cup titles: 0
- World Cup appearances (last): 17 (2022)
- How qualified: Automatically (host)
- Coach: Javier Aguirre (MEX) since July 2024
- Key player(s): Edson Alvarez (Fenerbahce), Hirving Lozano (San Diego FC), Raul Jimenez (Fulham), Cesar Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow)
England vs. Brazil: Quarterfinals
A nation steeped in footballing history, Brazil are the most successful side in the competition with five titles and remain the only country to have featured at every World Cup.
Their route to the next tournament, however, was anything but smooth. Brazil finished only fifth in South American qualifying, behind Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia and Uruguay. Since the last World Cup, the Selecao have gone through two permanent managers and an interim before Carlo Ancelotti finally took charge. Appointed in May 2025, the Italian appears to have steadied the ship and given the team a clearer identity.
Vinicius Junior remains the star attraction, even if he has yet to consistently match his Real Madrid form on the international stage. That has opened the door for Chelsea's Estevao to emerge as the side's main creative force. The 18-year-old is the top scorer of the Ancelotti era so far, with five goals in 11 appearances.
The Brazilian squad also leans on the quality of Rodrygo of Real Madrid, Raphinha from Barcelona, and a strengthened defensive core featuring Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes, Real Madrid's Eder Militao, PSG's Marquinhos and Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.
Among Brazilian fans and the local media, there is still uncertainty over whether Neymar will make next year's World Cup. Despite his recent struggles, he is still regarded as the standout figure of his generation. The prevailing feeling is that if he's fit, the former PSG and Barcelona star will remain firmly in Ancelotti's plans.
- Current FIFA world ranking: 5th
- Regional ranking: 2nd (Conmebol)
- World Cup titles: 5
- World Cup appearances (last): 22 (2022)
- How qualified: 5th in South American qualifying: 8W-6L-4D
- Coach: Carlo Ancelotti (Italy) since May 2025
- Key player(s): Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid), Estevao (Chelsea), Alisson (Liverpool)
England vs. Argentina: Semifinals
With Lionel Messi as the undisputed star, Argentina are among the favorites to win the title again. The Inter Miami number 10 is the captain of the team led by Lionel Scaloni, who will bet on maintaining the core of the winning group from Qatar 2022 with some new additions.
The current world champions have enjoyed a successful run since December 18, 2022, winning the 2024 Copa America and finishing top of the South American qualifiers. This project, which continues to be led by Scaloni, has managed to bring together a generation with experience and authority with the drive of new figures looking to continue the legacy.
Those who could enjoy their first World Cup include Franco Mastantuono, Nicolas Paz, Giuliano Simeone, Leo Balerdi, and Valentin Barco, among others. Only two teams have managed to win consecutive World Cups: Italy (1934-1938) and Brazil (1958-1962). Argentina certainly have the quality and experience to become the third.
- Current FIFA world ranking: 2nd
- Regional ranking: 1st (CONMEBOL)
- World Cup titles: 3 (1978, 1986, 2022)
- World Cup appearances (last): 18 (2022)
- How qualified: 1st in South American qualifying: 12W-4L-2D
- Coach: Lionel Scaloni (Argentina) since 2018
- Key player(s): Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid)
England vs. Spain: World Cup Final
In 2010, Spain followed up their Euro 2008 triumph by sweeping to World Cup glory in South Africa. In 2014, La Roja's sequel to Euro 2012 was crashing out in the group stage in Brazil. Which version will Luis de la Fuente's European champions of 2024 most closely resemble?
It feels safe to say the latter. Spain are blessed with the otherworldly talents of Lamine Yamal and impressive attacking depth, along with midfielders such as Pedri, Fabian Ruiz, Gavi, Rodri and Martin Zubimendi, who hark back to their previous golden period. Spain topped UEFA Group E during qualification, only dropping points in their final game against Turkey once a place at the 2026 tournament was confirmed.
Prior to the class of 2010 earning sporting immortality, Spain were the World Cup's great what-if story. Despite producing some of the greatest club sides ever seen, success for the national team on the grandest stage proved elusive. A fourth-placed finish in 1950 remains their next-best effort.
- Current FIFA world ranking: 1st
- Regional ranking: 1st (UEFA)
- World Cup titles: 1 (2010)
- World Cup appearances (last): 16 (Qatar 2022)
- How qualified: UEFA Group E winners: 5W-0L-1D
- Coach: Luis de la Fuente (Spain) since December 2022
- Key player(s): Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Pedri (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City)
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England World Cup Qualifying
England amassed a perfect record of eight wins from eight games in qualification to reach an eighth consecutive World Cup. The last time the Three Lions failed to reach the finals was the previous time it took place on U.S. Soil in 1994.
Thomas Tuchel will, therefore, lead England in a major tournament for the first time. The former Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain coach took the reins after Gareth Southgate bowed out with a final defeat to Spain at Euro 2024.
Southgate was England's most successful manager since Alf Ramsey masterminded their solitary World Cup success in 1966: under him, England reached consecutive European Championship finals and were beaten in the semifinals and quarterfinals of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
The hope from the Football Association is that Tuchel's elite club-level experience will help to get an extra few per cent out of a gifted squad spearheaded by captain and record goal-scorer Harry Kane. Jude Bellingham is one of several enviable attacking options for the German coach, although England look a touch light in defence.
- Current FIFA world ranking: 4th
- Regional ranking: 3rd (UEFA)
- World Cup titles: 1
- World Cup appearances (last): 16 (Qatar 2022)
- How qualified: UEFA Group K winners: 8W-0L-0D
- Coach: Thomas Tuchel (Germany) since January 2025
- Key player(s): Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Declan Rice (Arsenal)
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When did the World Cup draw 2026 take place?
The FIFA World Cup draw for the 2026 tournament was held on December 5, 2025 at 12 p.m. ET (5 p.m. GMT) at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
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