England learn World Cup opponents as 2026 draw is made
The World Cup draw is officially complete, with England's group for the summer of 2026 confirmed.
Following the draw involving Wayne Gretzky, Tom Brady, Aaron Judge, and Shaquille O'Neal drawing teams from the pots, the Three Lions' three opponents have been finalised, as they look to bring football home for the first time since 1966.
The draw has already made headlines for the 'cringey' nature of it as well as the fact that US President Donald Trump was given the inaugural FIFA 'Peace Prize'.
48 nations, including some 'placeholders' which are set to be finalised by spring 2026 following play-off matches, have learned their opponents for the World Cup, which will be held by three nations for the first time, ahead of the biggest sporting event on Earth.
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There are 12 groups in total for the first time in the competition, with FIFA also increasing the number of participating teams from 32 teams for the first time in history.
Thomas Tuchel's men have been placed in Group L, meaning that their first game will take place on 17 June in Toronto, Canada, against Croatia.
It's a replay of the 2018 World Cup semi-final in what was Gareth Southgate's first competition as England manager - many will remember Kieran Trippier's early free-kick before a heartbreaking Mario Mandzukic winner in extra time knocked Harry Kane and co. out at the penultimate hurdle.
England will also play against Panama, who were also in their group at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where the former triumphed 6-1 following a Kane hat-trick.
The final team drawn in the group was Ghana, who England have ever faced in an international friendly in 2011, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Here's England's group in full:
Group L
- England
- Croatia
- Ghana
- Panama
Fixtures
17 June
- England vs Croatia - BMO Field, Toronto
- Ghana vs Panama - AT&T Stadium, Dallas
23 June
- Croatia vs Panama - Gillette Stadium, Massachusetts
- England vs Ghana - BMO Field, Toronto
27 June
- Panama vs England - MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
- Ghana vs Croatia - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Kick-off timings will be confirmed by FIFA on Saturday 6 December.
England's potential route to the final
While it is almost impossible to predict every football result at the World Cup, we know that England almost always progress to the second round of the World Cup, so for argument's sake let's say Tuchel's men top Group L.
Round of 32
England would face one of the third placed teams from Groups E/H/I/J/K, with Group I even containing the 'Group of Death', with France, Norway and Senegal facing off for a knockout spot.
The clash would be hosted at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, USA.
Round of 16
The Three Lions would then be up against the side who emerged victorious between the winners of Group A (Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, and Winners of UEFA Play-off D) and a third placed side from one of Groups C/E/F/H/I.
Let's assume it's Mexico, who have only progressed to the quarter finals once, back in 1986 as hosts.
However, this game would take place in Mexico City at the iconic Estadio Azteca.
Quarter finals
This is where things get harder to predict, as any combination of results could mean a different opponent, but the tournament tree suggests that it will be Brazil who make it to this stage.
As it stands, it would be fourth in the world against fifth in a replay of the 2002 World Cup quarter-final, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Semi finals
This could be a face-off against Argentina, in what would be the nation's first clash at a World Cup in 24 years, when David Beckham scored a game-deciding penalty in the group stages, four years on from his infamous red cards against La Albiceleste.
England would play the World Cup holders in Atlanta once again.
Final
Dare we dream? Could football really be coming home?
If England were to overcome the South American powerhouses of Brazil and Argentina, it could very well be Spain waiting for them in the final, in a replay of the 2024 Euros final which saw La Roja emerge as 2-1 victors.
Oh, how revenge would be so sweet at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 19 July.
If you were wondering about how the remaining 44 nations fared in the draw, here are the World Cup 2026 groups in full:
Group A
- Mexico
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Winners of UEFA Play-off D
Group B
- Canada
- Qatar
- Switzerland
- Winners of UEFA Play-off A
Group C
- Brazil
- Morocco
- Scotland
- Haiti
Group D
- USA
- Paraguay
- Australia
- Winners of UEFA Play-off C
Group E
- Germany
- Ivory Coast
- Ecuador
- Curacao
Group F
- Netherlands
- Japan
- Tunisia
- Winners of UEFA Play-off B
Group G
- Belgium
- Egypt
- Iran
- New Zealand
Group H
- Spain
- Saudi Arabia
- Uruguay
- Cape Verde
Group I
- France
- Senegal
- Norway
- Winners of FIFA Play-off 2
Group J
- Argentina
- Algeria
- Austria
- Jordan
Group K
- Portugal
- Uzbekistan
- Colombia
- Winners of FIFA Play-off 1
Group L
- England
- Croatia
- Ghana
- Panama
Unfortunately, the World Cup will not be without controversy away from the pitch.
In case you haven't heard about one of the president's more controversial policies since his return to the White House, he's confirmed that people from 19 different countries, predominantly in Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean, would no longer be permitted to travel to the US.
This has already caused a key issue for FIFA as two of the countries on that list include Iran and Haiti, who have both now qualified for next year's World Cup.
While the rules in place state that athletes will be allowed to travel for sporting events, fans currently won't be able to go and watch in person, for what is a historic first ever World Cup for Haiti.
You might have noticed that delegates from Iran weren't in attendance at the draw in Washington earlier today, and that's because they took the decision to boycott the draw over the restrictions that Trump's government has put in place, though members of the federation were present at the draw today.
Trump was alongside the likes of Heidi Klum, Rio Ferdinand and Kevin Hart, and he gave a speech about next year's event.
The draw itself was already somewhat Americanised, given it featured performances from Robbie Williams, Andrea Bocelli, Nicole Scherzinger and perhaps most strangely, the Village People, who performed 'YMCA'.
Additional words from James Moorhouse.
Joshua Nair