England’s men’s football team has not won a World Cup since 1966, and the 2026 tournament offers perhaps the best chance yet to end that 60-year drought. But the path to glory is complicated by a radical new format: for the first time, 48 teams are competing, meaning more matches, more potential upsets, and a longer route to the final.
The 2026 World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the final scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. England, managed by Thomas Tuchel, were drawn in Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. They started with a 4-2 victory over Croatia, then drew 0-0 with Ghana, before beating Panama 2-0 with second-half goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane. That result secured top spot in the group, meaning they advanced to the round of 32 (the first knockout stage) rather than the round of 16.
“Everything you need to know about the expanded 48-team World Cup and England's path to the final.”
Previously, World Cups had 32 teams, with the top two from each of eight groups progressing to a straight round of 16. The expansion to 48 teams, announced by FIFA in 2017, created 16 groups of three. The group winners and the eight best third-placed teams advance to a new last-32 round. England’s opponent in that round is DR Congo, who sealed their place by coming from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in their final group game.
If England beat DR Congo, they will face the winner of Group A – likely hosts Mexico – in the Estadio Azteca, a notoriously difficult venue at high altitude. Beyond that, a quarter-final against Brazil looms in Miami, followed by a potential semi-final against reigning champions Argentina. On the other side of the draw, top-ranked Spain are favourites to reach the final.
For UK readers, the expanded tournament means more matches to watch – but also later kick-offs, with England’s potential last-16 game against Mexico scheduled for 1am UK time. The increased number of teams also raises the chance of surprise results, as seen with DR Congo’s comeback. And for England fans, the draw has opened a credible path: while Brazil and Argentina are daunting, Tuchel’s side have already beaten Croatia and topped their group comfortably. The 60-year wait may finally be coming to an end.
Q: How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup and what is the new format? A: 48 teams are competing, the most ever. They are split into 16 groups of three, with the group winners and the eight best third-placed teams advancing to a new round of 32 (last-32), rather than the old round of 16.
Q: Who are England’s opponents in the knockout stages? A: England play DR Congo in the last-32. If they win, they likely face Mexico in the last-16, then Brazil in the quarter-finals, Argentina in the semi-finals, and Spain in the final.
Q: When and where is the World Cup final? A: The final is on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA.
England’s last-32 match against DR Congo takes place on July 1 in Atlanta. If they progress, they will face Mexico on July 5 in Mexico City, with a quarter-final against Brazil on July 11 in Miami. The semi-final is on July 15 in Atlanta, and the final on July 19 in New Jersey. All times are local; UK viewers should expect late-night kick-offs for knockout rounds in Mexico.