Jude Bellingham stepped up when it mattered most, his low volley from a corner breaking the deadlock against a stubborn Panama side. Minutes later, he turned provider, jinking past a defender and crossing for Harry Kane to head home. The 2-0 win in New Jersey secured England top spot in Group L at the 2026 World Cup, sending them into the knockout rounds as group winners.
At the group stage, 32 teams are divided into eight groups of four. Each team plays the other three once, with wins earning three points and draws one point. The top two teams from each group advance to the round of 32 – the first knockout round. England finished first in Group L with two wins and a draw (a 4-2 victory over Croatia, a 0-0 draw with Ghana, and this 2-0 win over Panama). Panama exited with zero points, having lost all three matches.
“England qualified for the World Cup knockout stage as group winners. Here's what that means and what comes next.”
This is not the first time England have faced Panama at a World Cup. In 2018, England thrashed them 6-1 in the group stage, with five goals in the first half. That match set high expectations for this encounter, but for much of the game England struggled to break down a well-organised defence. Manager Thomas Tuchel, appointed in 2025, admitted the performance was far from perfect, saying after the match he was “annoyed” by Bellingham’s goal – not celebrating because he expected more from his side.
For UK readers, England’s progress matters because the knockout stages bring a do-or-die tension. The round of 32 is a single-elimination: lose and you’re out. England’s next opponent will be the runner-up from Group K – either Senegal or the Democratic Republic of Congo – in a match scheduled for Wednesday in Atlanta. If England win, they face a potential clash with Argentina or another top side in the last 16.
Harry Kane’s header was his 11th World Cup goal, moving him past Gary Lineker to become England’s all-time leading scorer in the tournament. Kane now holds the record outright, a landmark moment for the England captain.
Q: How does the World Cup group stage work? The 2026 World Cup expanded to 48 teams. At the group stage, teams are split into 12 groups of four. Each team plays three group matches. The top two teams from each group advance to the round of 32. Points are awarded as 3 for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss. If teams are level on points, goal difference and goals scored are used as tiebreakers.
Q: Who did England beat to qualify? England beat Croatia 4-2, drew 0-0 with Ghana, and beat Panama 2-0. They finished top of Group L with 7 points. Panama finished bottom with 0 points, Ghana had 1 point, and Croatia had 4 points.
Q: What is the round of 32? The round of 32 is the first knockout round of the World Cup. It features the 24 group winners and runners-up. Matches are single elimination: the winner advances to the round of 16, the loser goes home. England will face the runner-up from Group K.
What happens next England will play their round-of-32 match on Wednesday 1 July in Atlanta. Their opponent will be confirmed once Group K finishes – it is either Senegal or DR Congo. If England win, they will face the winner of the match between Group A runners-up and Group B winners in the last 16. Tuchel has several selection decisions to make, particularly in wide areas where Marcus Rashford’s form has been criticised. The team will also be without midfielder Declan Rice, who missed the Panama game through injury – his fitness remains a concern.