Thomas Tuchel was hired with one aim in mind: win the World Cup with England this summer.
Gareth Southgate transformed the Three Lions from regular underachievers to consistent finalists, but the FA have trusted Tuchel with ending 60 years of hurt.
The German coach’s task has been made a little tougher by the expansion to 48 teams – and 104 total matches – and if they taste major tournament glory this summer, his side will have earned it.
Though England won’t be looking beyond Group L, where they’ll face Croatia, Ghana and Panama, fans will want to be eyeing what the route to the final at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday 19 July could look like.
We’ve mapped it out so you don’t have to and picked the most likely route based on the highest-ranked teams making it through, as well as where they will be playing.
With too many permutations if England finished third, we’ve focused on their route should they win or come second in Group L.
Radio Times looks at the most likely path England may tread if they advance through the rounds at World Cup 2026 – assuming there are no major shocks.
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Who will England play in the round of 32?
Group winners
England will play a third-place team from Group E/H/I/J/K at 5pm on Wednesday 1 July at Atlanta Stadium.
Based on the highest-ranked teams progressing, that could be Ivory Coast or Ecuador (Group E), Uruguay or Saudi Arabia (Group H), Norway or Senegal (Group I), Austria or Algeria (Group J), or Colombia or Congo DR (Group K).
Second place
England will play the Group K runner-up, most likely Colombia at 12am on Friday 3 July at Toronto Stadium.
Portugal, DR Congo, and Uzbekistan are the other teams in Group K.
Who will England play in the round of 16?
Group winners
England will play Mexico at 1am on Monday 6 July at Mexico City Stadium.
Second place
England will play Spain at 8pm on Monday 6 July at Dallas Stadium.
Who will England play in the quarter-finals?
Group winners
England will play Brazil at 10pm on Saturday 11 July at Miami Stadium.
Second place
England will play Belgium at 8pm on Friday 10 July at Los Angeles Stadium.
Who could England play in the semi-finals?
Group winners
England will play Argentina at 8pm on Wednesday 15 July at Atlanta Stadium.
Second place
England will play France at 8pm on Tuesday 14 July at Dallas Stadium.
Who could England play in the final?
Group winners
England will play Spain at 8pm on Sunday 19 July at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Second place
England will play Argentina at 8pm on Sunday 19 July at New York New Jersey Stadium.
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Authors
Ned is a sports writer at RadioTimes.com. He has covered a host of sports from EFL football, international cricket and golf all the way through to bike polo and triathlon.
