Who will England play after the group stages? World Cup knockout fixtures explained

Need to know

England have qualified for the World Cup knockout stages

England World Cup knockout fixtures explained

• If they finish 1st: Topping Group L means the Three Lions will travel to Atlanta for their round of 32 clash. Their opponents will be one of the top third-placed sides emerging from Groups E, H, I, J, or K. As the standings look right now, this sets up a fixture against Senegal on Wednesday, July 1 at 5pm (BST).
• If they finish 2nd: A second-place finish in the group stages sends England north of the border to Toronto for their opening knockout match. They would lock horns with the runners-up from Group K, a spot currently occupied by Portugal. This crucial encounter is scheduled for Friday, July 3 at 12am (BST).
• If they finish 3rd: Falling to third place would require England to qualify as one of the tournament’s eight strongest third-placed teams, punching their ticket to Kansas City. Should they advance via this route, they are slated to meet the top team from Group K, with Colombia currently leading that race.
• Current standings: As of today, June 27, 2026, England leads Group L with four points, a tally kicked off by an exciting 4-2 win against Croatia. A subsequent, hard-fought 0-0 draw with Ghana keeps them level on points at the top, though they lead the group courtesy of a superior goal difference.
• The final group match: The group stage wraps up today in New York-New Jersey, where England squares off against a Panama team that has already been eliminated. Walking away with three points from this match ensures the Three Lions win the group and lock in a more favourable route forward.
• Tournament expectations: England arrived at this tournament under an immense spotlight as they chase their first World Cup trophy since 1966. This heavy expectation follows a spectacular run under manager Thomas Tuchel, refuelling dreams among the fans that football might truly return home.