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England's routes to 2026 World Cup final - Sky Sports
England's routes to 2026 World Cup final - Sky Sports
England have progressed to the knockout stages as group winners; the Three Lions will face DR Congo in the last 32 on July 1 at 5pm UK time; Thomas Tuchel's side could then play co-hosts Mexico in the last 16, Brazil in the quarter-finals and Argentina in the semi-finals
Tuesday 30 June 2026 07:57, UK
What is England's potential path to World Cup glory?
The Three Lions have been handed an advantage already by FIFA's introduction of a Wimbledon-style seeding system, which means they cannot meetSpainorArgentinauntil the semis orFranceuntil the final, should all four countries win their respective groups.
Wednesday July 1: England vsDR Congo, Atlanta - kick-off 5pm
Monday July 6: England vsMexico/Ecuador, Mexico City - kick-off 1am
Saturday July 11: England vsBrazil/Ivory Coast/Norway, Miami - kick-off 10pm
Wednesday July 15: England vsArgentina/Cape Verde/Australia/Egypt/Switzerland/Algeria/Colombia/Ghana, Atlanta - kick-off 8pm
Sunday July 19: England vs *France/Spain/Morocco/Portugal/Belgium/Paraguay/Croatia/USA, New Jersey - kick-off 8pm
Latest England news
2026 World Cup dates, venues and expanded format
England fi…
England v Panama World Cup 2026: live updates | LBC
England v Panama World Cup 2026: live updates | LBC
England beat Panama 2-0 to finish top of World Cup Group L as Scotland knocked out
England is up against Panama tonight in the final game before the knockout stage of the tournament
27 Jun 2026, 18:58
| Updated: 1h ago
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England fans celebrate their victory following the FIFA World Cup Group L match at New York New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford. Picture date: Saturday June 27, 2026.
Picture:
Alamy
By Issy Clarke
England has beat Panama 2-0 to finish the top of Group L while Scotland were knocked out of the World Cup.
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England finished top of Group L, with Croatia in second, Ghana in third and Panama in fourth.
Scotland’s departure from the 2026 World Cup was confirmed on Saturday night after Croatia beat Ghana 2-1 in Philadelphia.
Meanwhile Harry Kane became England’s all-time World Cup goalscorer as Thomas Tuchel’s side overcame well-drilled Panama to progress to the knockout stage as group winners.
England were already guaranteed of a place in the knoc…
England vs DR Congo live: Three Lions face World Cup underdogs for place in last 16
England vs DR Congo live: Three Lions face World Cup underdogs for place in last 16
Thomas Tuchel’s England take on underdogs DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday, wary of another World Cup upset after premature exits for European heavyweights Germany and the Netherlands. The Congolese play in their first World Cup knockout match after qualifying from the group stage as the top-ranking third-placed team. Follow our live, minute-by-minute commentary.
England vs Panama live updates: World Cup 2026 game latest score and ...
England vs Panama live updates: World Cup 2026 game latest score and ...
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Welcome to a wet and fairly cool New York City as England limber up for their final group match at the 2026 World Cup.
Thomas Tuchelhas shuffled his pack for today’s match.The Athleticrevealed todaythat Marcus Rashford, Morgan Rogers and Jarell Quansah would all be starting for the first time at this tournament.
Elliot Anderson, meanwhile, retains his place in the starting XIahead of his Manchester City medical in Kansas City this weekend.
Much of the pre-tournament narrative around England’s starting line-up at the World Cup revolved around the first-choice advanced attacking midfielder behind Harry Kane.
It pittedMorgan RogersandJude Bellinghamagainst each other, with literally everybody assuming it would be one or the other.
Well,Thomas Tuchelhas ripped up the script and started both of them.
The pair are known for their versatility, with Bellingham having previously featured as a box-to-box midfielder as well as a playmaker, while Rogers can drift across the front line, often picking up central and wide positions for Aston Villa…
Live: England takes on Panama with top spot on the line
Live: England takes on Panama with top spot on the line
The Three Lions have already booked a place in the World Cup's knockout stages, but they will be looking to tie up top spot in Group L against Panama, as Ghana and Croatia lock horns in Philadelphia. Follow live.
England clinch World Cup knockout spot before Panama game - ESPN
England clinch World Cup knockout spot before Panama game - ESPN
Englandhave clinched a spot in the knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup ahead of their final match of the group stage againstPanamaon Saturday.
Results in the final games of Group H on Friday meant that England's four points is guaranteed to be enough to at least advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams.
-James to miss England-Panama; Rice, Anderson fit-Panama players clash in training pre-England tie-England's route to the 2026 World Cup final
Uruguay's 1-0 defeat toSpainleft them in third place on two points and eliminated them from the World Cup.
Paraguay,Egypt,PortugalandGhanaalso clinched a spot in the round of 32 as a result.
England will certainly hope to not have to rely on making it through as a third-placed team.
After a 4-2 win overCroatiaand a goalless draw with Ghana, Thomas Tuchel's side top Group L ahead of Ghana on goal difference.
At the same time that England are taking on Panama at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Ghana and Croatia will be facing off in Philadelphia.
If England finish first in the group, they will face a round-of-32 matchup in Atlanta next Wednesday against a thir…
Panama vs England: Saka, Rashford start for Three Lions in final World Cup group match
Panama vs England: Saka, Rashford start for Three Lions in final World Cup group match
England take on Panama at the MetLife Stadium on Friday, aiming to end the World Cup’s group phase on a high after their faux pas against Ghana. Jarell Quansah gets his first World Cup start for England as he replaces injured right-back Reece James, among five changes from coach Thomas Tuchel to his starting lineup. Follow our live, minute-by minute match commentary.
England vs. Panama LIVE: World Cup 2026 updates as...England vs. Panama ...
England vs. Panama LIVE: World Cup 2026 updates as...England vs. Panama ...
Englandplay their third and final group match againstPanamain New York as they look to guarantee top spot in Group L, and you can follow it live on ESPN.
Thomas Tuchel's men began with a rampant 4-2 win overCroatiain their first group match but were held to a disappointing 0-0 draw againstGhanain their second.
They now face a Panama side who are already out of the World Cup, after losing both of their matches, against Democratic Republic of Congo andUzbekistan1-0.
England also faced the central American side in the 2018 World Cup, winning 6-1 to progress to the knockout stages in Russia.
Harry Kanescored a hat trick that day, whileJohn Stonesscored a brace and Jesse Lingard hit a beautifully curled effort into the top right corner as Gareth Southgate's men began to find some momentum.
They will hope to do the same again and be able to bring off some of their key stars ahead of the knockout stages, which this tournament will feature an extra round of matches in the round-of-32 stage.
England will be without right backReece Jamesafter he suffered a hamstring injury, but midfield duoDeclan RiceandElliot…
England v Panama LIVE: World Cup result, final score and reaction
England v Panama LIVE: World Cup result, final score and reaction
Jude Bellingham celebrates with Morgan Rogers after scoring England's first goal
(
Getty
)
Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane scored as England battled past Panama and claimed top spot in Group L at the 2026 World Cup.
In doing so, Kane became England's all-time record scorer at World Cups, with his 11th goal during his side's final group game. Kane drew level with Gary Lineker's mark during England's opening win over Croatia and he made the record his own in front of an ecstatic crowd at New York New Jersey Stadium.
His header was the result of a Bellingham assist and it came five minutes after Bellingham had turned in Bukayo Saka’s corner with a toed volley.
England
will next face
Senegal
or DR
Congo
in the last-32.
Follow live World Cup reaction from the Group L game, below:
Recommended
Who will England play next at World Cup? Potential last-32 opponents and route to final revealed
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World Cup 2026 knockout fixtures, results and group-stage standings
The game in stats and graphs
Alan Smith
28 June 2026 00:26
'Proud' Ka…
World Cup LIVE: England beat Panama, Tuchel's new injury nightmare ...
World Cup LIVE: England beat Panama, Tuchel's new injury nightmare ...
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Ryan Taylor
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England have won Group L to advance to the World Cup Round of 32
by beating Panama 2-0
.
After a drab, goalless first half it was Jude Bellingham who plundered England's opener, turning home from close range at a corner kick. It was a much needed goal for the Three Lions who had struggled to break down the stubborn Panamanians.
Then, minutes later, Bellingham turned provider, twisting the defender, crossing and allowing Harry Kane to head home and make it 2-0.
Elsewhere, Scotland's fate has been confirmed with Croatia's victory over Ghana condemning them to an early exit. And that has been followed by the shock news that
Steve Clarke has stepped down from his role as manager.
Stay tuned as
Mirror Football
keeps you across all of the latest fallout...
PLAYER RATINGS:
Bellingham shines but major problem threatens World Cup hopes
New Updates
Steve Clarke resigns from…
Panama vs. England-World Cup: Live Score and Match Stats
Panama vs. England-World Cup: Live Score and Match Stats
Panama and England’s 2026
World Cup
campaigns have been polar opposites to date.
The de facto home team has lost to both Ghana and Croatia—the former substantially below it in FIFA’s official world rankings—and an early trip home is already sealed. Defeat here would cap a miserable campaign that has even seen tempers flare at training.
England
is in pole position to secure top spot in Group L, but Thomas Tuchel’s only really seen 45 minutes of good play from his side—the second-half performance that saw the Three Lions pull away from Croatia. It is expected to dominate the ball against Panama, as it did against Ghana, and there’s high hopes that the likes of Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham can unlock the door against what is sure to be another low block.
The prize for winning is a trip to Atlanta and a round of 32 game against a currently unknown
third-place finisher
.
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Live: England faces DR Congo as World Cup knockouts continue
Live: England faces DR Congo as World Cup knockouts continue
After topping Group L, the Three Lions take on DR Congo in the Round of 32 in Atlanta. Follow live.
Panama vs England - World Cup LIVE: Three Lions team news leak ...
Panama vs England - World Cup LIVE: Three Lions team news leak ...
ByHARRY BAMFORTH, LIVE SPORTS COVERAGE REPORTERandTAMARA PRENN, SENIOR SPORTS REPORTERandOLIVER HOLT, CHIEF SPORTS WRITERandIAN LADYMAN, FOOTBALL EDITORandMIKE KEEGAN, CHIEF SPORTS REPORTERandJACK GAUGHANandCRAIG HOPE, CHIEF FOOTBALL REPORTER
Updated:19:37 EDT, 27 June 2026
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This is Daily Mail Sport's coverage as England take on Panama in their final Group L match asThomas Tucheland Co battle to keep a firm grip on their first-place spot in New York.
Thomas Tuchel, England boss, on ITV Sport:
On Jude Bellingham's display:
Want to watch this record-breaking moment?
Well, here you go. It was a terrific cross from Jude Bellingham, and Harry Kane was never going to miss from there.
The roar in celebration was the roar of a man who knew he was going down in the record books, again.
How many more can Kane bag in this tournament?
He's done it at last.
At times during that game, it felt like the witch doctor had our pants down and had not actually lifted the curse on Harry Kane. Chance after chance went begging, and it didn't feel like it would be his day.
But you can never keep Kane down for …
England vs Panama: World Cup 2026 - LIVE - Evening Standard
England vs Panama: World Cup 2026 - LIVE - Evening Standard
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England vs Panama LIVE: World Cup 2026 match stream, confirmed team news, lineups and fan reaction
Three Lions out to seal top spot in Group L after Ghana stalemate
Morgan Rogers starts for England against Panama
Getty
Dom Smith
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Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
at MetLife Stadium
28 minutes ago
England
vs
Panama
LIVE!
England complete their
World Cup 2026
group stage campaign against Panama in New Jersey tonight. The Three Lions will be desperate to produce a commanding performance and result to secure top spot in Group L, quickly bouncing back from a frustrating goalless draw with Ghana that dampened the enthusiasm generated by a thrilling win over Croatia. England will clinch first place if they match or better Ghana’s result against Croatia in Philadelphia without suffering a shock loss.
It would likely be one of DR Congo or Senegal in the round of 32 for England, who won’t be looking beyond the challenge in front of them. Reece James will miss out due to a hamstring injury, though Thomas Tuchel has declared midfield duo Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson both available to start. Rice is the only England player w…
England at the 2026 World Cup: Schedule, results, how to watch
England at the 2026 World Cup: Schedule, results, how to watch
England's quest for a first World Cup trophy since 1966 continues in the United States, Mexico and Canada this summer.
Thomas Tuchel's side made the journey across the Atlantic as one of the favourites to go all the way with the world-class talents ofHarry KaneandJude Bellinghamcentral to bringing football home.
Their first stop in Group L was a showdown against familiar opponentsCroatiawho they beat 4-2. But for the fourth successive tournament, England drew their second game 0-0 withGhanain a first ever competitive meeting. They finished their group with a 2-0 win overPanama.
In the round of 32, they were given a scare by Congo DR but a dramatic Harry Kane double set up a showdown in the quarterfinal against Mexico.
ESPN rounds up everything you need to know about England's World Cup campaign.
-2026 World Cup: Format, groups, full match schedule, more-Meet England's squad: All 26 players picked by Thomas Tuchel and why
GROUP STAGE
9 p.m. BST, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas -- ITV
England kicked off their campaign with their toughest Group L assignment -- a team ranked 11th in the world in a repeat of the 2018…
England to play DR Congo in FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage
England to play DR Congo in FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage
Written by:
Jack Hyom
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England's place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage was confirmed without even playing the night before their final group stage match against Panama on Saturday 27 June.
And then they secured top spot in Group L with a 2-0 victory, putting them on seven points. Croatia finished second on six points, while Ghana qualified as one of the best third-place finishers.
Results elsewhere in the early hours of Saturday 27 June meant that Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions were guaranteed to be at least be one of the eight best third-place finishers in the group stage before they went two places better in the Group L finale.
In the final Group H games earlier on Saturday, Uruguay lost by 1-0 against Spain to finish in third place with two points, while Cabo Verde drew 0-0 with Saudi Arabia to seal second-spot in the group.
That meant England's qualification for the round of 32 was confirmed, as there was no longer eight teams who could finish on four points in third place and have a chance of beating England's record.
As England finished top of Group L, they will play the third-placed team from…
Corroboration
No verdict, no pronouncement. The model extracts atomic factual claims with verbatim quotes; every quote is validated against the source text and corroboration is computed by counting how many editorially-opposed blocs assert each fact.
The spine · 2 facts corroborated across ≥2 opposed blocs
2×cross-perspective · 2England has advanced to the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup as group winners.
otherwestern
abc_au“The Three Lions have already booked a place in the World Cup's knockout stages”
skysports.com“England have progressed to the knockout stages as group winners”
1×broadly confirmedEngland plays Panama in the final group phase match of the 2026 World Cup.
western
abc_au“they will be looking to tie up top spot in Group L against Panama”
france24“England take on Panama at the MetLife Stadium on Friday, aiming to end the World Cup’s group phase on a high”
Single-source · 5 — reported by one bloc only (uncorroborated)
England will face DR Congo in the last 32 round of the 2026 World Cup on July 1.
skysports.com
Thomas Tuchel made five changes to England's starting lineup for the match against Panama, including Jarell Quansah starting in place of the injured Reece James.
france24
Saka and Rashford started for England in the match against Panama.
france24
FIFA introduced a seeding system for the 2026 World Cup that prevents England from meeting Spain or Argentina until the semi-finals, and France until the final.
skysports.com
Ghana and Croatia are playing each other in Philadelphia.
abc_au
Framing · 2 — loaded language surfaced (spin shown, not adopted)
france24
“aiming to end the World Cup’s group phase on a high after their faux pas against Ghana”
→ England lost to Ghana in a previous group match.
skysports.com
“The Three Lions have been handed an advantage already by FIFA's introduction of a Wimbledon-style seeding system”
→ England benefits from the seeding system.
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