England’s potential route to the World Cup final after winning group
It's not yet clear if football will eventually come home, but England aren't yet as their World Cup campaign now heads to the knockout stages.
England had already qualified after two games, despite the dour draw with Ghana leaving little else to celebrate, but they have now sealed top spot in World Cup Group L.
The Three Lions defeated Panama 2-0 in New Jersey on Saturday, with goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane rescuing what was shaping up to be another frustrating match.
As a result of the three points, England have secured their knock-out stage pathway and have managed to avoid a host of top contenders, who are on the other side of the bracket.
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Thomas Tuchel now knows what his side's route to the final, a hopeful return to the MetLife Stadium on July 19, looks like.
England Round of 32 fixture
Having won the group, England have dodged an immediately tricky tie with either old foes Portugal or Colombia.
Cristiano Ronaldo's side knocked England out of the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2004, while Gareth Southgate led England to a penalties triumph over Colombia in 2018.
This will instead be the route taken by Croatia, who finish in second after beating Ghana 2-1 over in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Ghana will also qualify for the round of 32, finishing as one of the top eight third-placed teams.
Instead, England will take on one of the eight best third-placed teams.
England won't know their opponents for certain until the group stage concludes in the early hours of Sunday morning but as things stand, it looks as though the Three Lions will most likely face Senegal.
Other potential ties include: Ecuador, Algeria and DR Congo all remain possibilities
- Date: Wednesday, July 1
- UK kick-off: 5pm
- Venue: Atlanta Stadium
England's last-16 game
England will either play Mexico or one of the other third-placed sides if they advance to the last 16.
Though that might look good on paper, it would be anything but easy.
The game is taking place in Mexico City, for starters, which stands at 7,350 feet above sea level and means the high altitude and thinner air could have a significant impact.
That would be a factor regardless of who England play, but taking on co-hosts Mexico in their home of the Azteca would make it even tougher.
El Tri are undefeated in nine World Cup games at their gigantic stadium, and have lost just twice there EVER. The last coming in 2013.
That's a banana skin in the making.
- Date: July 6
- UK kick-off: 1am
- Venue: Azteca
England's possible quarter-final
If England survive the heights of Mexico City, then they'll have the joys of the Floridian humidity and heat to contend with afterwards in Miami.
By this point, it's challenging to predict with 100 per cent accuracy which teams will still be left standing but, should the favourites progress, England would play Brazil in the last eight,
- Date: July 11
- UK kick-off: 10pm
- Venue: Miami Stadium
Who could the Three Lions face in the semi-final?
Again, if the most likely team makes it to the semi-final (and if England themselves are still going by this point, fingers crossed), then it could well be fierce rivals Argentina that await.
Lionel Messi is touching 40 but still dazzling at the tournament, but England have defeated Argentina more than any other team at the World Cup.
- Date: July 15
- UK kick-off: 8pm
- Venue: Atlanta Stadium
The World Cup final
If England makes it all the way to the final, then there will be pandemonium on every street up and down the land.
There are a host of likely opponents, with France, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Morocco and Portugal all on the other side of the draw and hoping to make it to New Jersey.
- Date: July 19
- UK kick-off: 8pm
- Venue: MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
Daniel Murphy