England’s potential route to the World Cup final after winning against Mexico
We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves but there’s a very real chance that it is, in fact, coming home, as England beat Mexico 3-2.
The 2026 World Cup got off to a good start for England after securing a 4-2 win against Croatia in their first match last month.
The Three Lions ended up finishing top of Group L after beating Panama 2-0 and managing a less-exciting 0-0 draw against Ghana.
England then faced DR Congo at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on 1 July, where they claimed a 2-1 win.
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Today, they faced their toughest challenge yet in the form of co-host Mexico on their home turf at the Estadio Azteca.
The game was initially delayed by an hour due to heavy thunderstorms in Mexico City.
Alongside heavy rainfall, England were also facing the prospect of playing in the Mexican capital which sits 7,349 feet (2,240 metres) above sea level - and they haven't had time to adapt to the altitude.
Speaking ahead of the match, Thomas Tuchel admitted that the team had ‘obstacles’ to overcome.
“When you are inside of the bubble, it is actually quite calm, quite focused,” said Tuchel.
“Altitude: it is what it is. Home crowd: it is what it is. It is not in our favour.
“We need to overcome obstacles, but we have the spirit, we have the commitment, the pure will and the glue between the team to overcome these things.”
And if the altitude and being in front of a home crowd impacted the England team, they certainly didn’t show it.
Jude Bellingham scored in the 36th minute and then again two minutes later, putting England ahead 2-0.
Mexico attempted to pull it back with Julian Quinones scoring just minutes later.
And the drama didn't end there, with England being taken down to ten men after Jarell Quansah was sent off, and a 60th minute penalty from Harry Kane putting England 3-1 ahead.
Just ahead of the second hydration break, Raul Jimenez scored a penalty from Mexico bringing the score to 3-2, and the ref then handed Jorge Sanchez and Nico O'Reilly yellow cards.
The nail-biting game was worth staying up, particularly for England fans who were rewarded with a 3-2 win.
England's possible route to the World Cup 2026 final
Now, with the win in the bag, England moves on to the quarter-finals and will face Norway on 11 July, thanks to their 2-0 defeat over Brazil earlier today.
If Tuchel’s lads are able to hold their own against Erling Haaland and the rest of the Norway squad, they’ll likely face Argentina in the semi-final on 15 July.
Argentina has put in an incredible performance this World Cup, beating Cape Verde in the round of 32 and will take on Egypt in the last 16 before crossing paths with either Switzerland or Colombia in the quarters.
If England manage to make it all the way into the final on 19 July, they’d most likely be up against Spain, Portugal or France, but could also face USA, Belgium or Morocco, depending on how other fixtures go.
World Cup 2026 fixture schedule and UK kick off times
Monday, 6 July
Round of 16 - Match 93: Portugal vs Spain, kick-off 8pm - Arlington, US
Tuesday, 7 July
Round of 16 - Match 94: USA vs Belgium, kick-off 1am - Seattle, US
Round of 16 - Match 95: Argentina vs Egypt, kick-off 5pm - Atlanta, US
Round of 16 - Match 96: Switzerland vs Colombia, kick-off 9pm - Vancouver, Canada
Thursday, 9 July
Quarter-final - Match 97: France vs Morocco, kick-off 9pm - Foxborough, US
Friday, 10 July
Quarter-final - Match 98: Match 93 winners vs Match 94 winners, kick-off 8pm - Los Angeles, US
Saturday, 11 July
Quarter-final - Match 99: Norway vs England, kick-off 10pm - Miami, US
Sunday, 12 July
Quarter-final - Match 100: Match 95 winners vs Match 96 winners, kick-off 2am - Kansas City, US
Tuesday, 14 July
Semi-final - Match 101: Match 97 winners vs Match 98 winners, kick-off 8pm - Arlington, US
Wednesday, 15 July
Semi-final - Match 102: Match 99 winners vs Match 100 winners, kick-off 8pm - Atlanta, US
Saturday, 18 July
Third Place Playoff - Match 103: Match 101 losers vs Match 102 losers, kick-off 10pm - Miami, US
Sunday, 19 July
Final - Match 104: Match 101 winners vs Match 102 winners, kick-off 8pm - New Jersey, US
Claire Reid