World Cup 2026: who could England play in the last 32?
If Thomas Tuchel's England top Group L by beating Panama on Saturday, who could England play in the last 32 is—at present—most likely Senegal in Atlanta, though DR Congo could still emerge. Finish second and England would face a far trickier tie against Group K's runner-up instead. Friday's results reshaped the knockout picture before the Three Lions kicked off in New York.
Key Takeaways
- England are through to the last 32 before their Panama game; group position still decides their opponent.
- A Group L win would set up a last-32 tie against Senegal, with DR Congo the alternative third-placed route.
- Cape Verde became the smallest nation to reach World Cup knockouts and will face Argentina in Miami.
- Spain won Group H; Belgium and Egypt also advanced from Group G after Friday's results.
Why did England qualify before the Panama game?
England's place in the last 32 was confirmed after Group H results, according to The Guardian. Uruguay's defeat to Spain, coupled with Cape Verde's 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia, left Marcelo Bielsa's side third with a record inferior to England's.
With third-placed South Korea, Senegal and Scotland unable to match England's points tally, Thomas Tuchel's side were guaranteed progression—at worst—as one of the eight best third-placed teams. ESPN reported England's four points from beating Croatia and drawing with Ghana were enough after Friday's Group H results.
Who could England play in the World Cup last 32?
The answer hinges on Saturday. The Guardian said a Panama victory would confirm top spot and a tie against a yet-to-be-confirmed third-placed team—while a draw or defeat could push England into second or third, raising the possibility of a trickier knockout tie.
The BBC was more specific: if England win their group and DR Congo qualify in third, they meet in the last 32—but as it stands, Senegal will play Tuchel's side. ESPN said a first-place finish brings a round-of-32 matchup in Atlanta against a third-placed team, currently likely Senegal or Congo DR.
England remain top of Group L ahead of Ghana on goal difference. Reece James will miss the Panama game and the last-32 tie with a hamstring injury, The Guardian reported. Tuchel said he was "not scared" of any opponent: "We feel confident enough to be ready and compete on any level."
How did Cape Verde, Spain, Belgium and Egypt reach the knockouts?
In Houston, Cape Verde booked a last-32 place with a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia—the smallest nation ever to reach the World Cup knockouts on their debut, per the BBC. In Guadalajara, Uruguay exited with a 1-0 defeat to Spain after a Fernando Muslera error; Alex Baena's first-half strike secured top spot in Group H.
Spain face the Group J runner-up—Austria or Algeria—in Los Angeles on 2 July. Cape Verde play Argentina in Miami on 3 July. Belgium beat New Zealand 5-1 and Egypt drew 1-1 with Iran to complete Group G; Australia face Egypt in Dallas at 19:00 BST, per the BBC's confirmed ties.
What does this mean for the wider World Cup bracket?
ESPN noted Paraguay, Egypt, Portugal and Ghana also clinched last-32 places alongside England. The BBC confirmed nine ties are known, with seven more finalised after remaining group games.
From tactics to future tech shaping global sport, the expanded 48-team format is delivering stories sceptics may be reconsidering. Cape Verde's fairytale is the headline; England's bracket path is the immediate question for Three Lions fans.