Follow the Three Lions
Every England match in UK time and stadium time, the full Group L schedule, and the road that could end at MetLife on July 19. Check the fixtures and settle in — it's tournament summer.
English
England fixtures — Group L
Croatia
Ghana
PanamaTheir place in the tournament pulse
- 11 JunGroups
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- 29 JunRound of 32
- 30 JunRound of 32
- 1 JulRound of 32
- 2 JulRound of 32
- 3 JulRound of 32
- 4 JulRound of 32
- 5 JulRound of 16
- 6 JulRound of 16
- 7 JulRound of 16
- 9 JulQuarter-final
- 10 JulQuarter-final
- 11 JulQuarter-final
- 12 JulQuarter-final
- 14 JulSemi-final
- 15 JulSemi-final
- 18 JulThird-place Play-off
- 19 JulFinal
The England guide
Few footballing nations carry the weight of expectation quite like England. World champions on home soil in 1966, the Three Lions spent decades chasing a second crown through near-misses, penalty heartbreak and quarter-final ceilings. The modern era has been kinder: deep tournament runs have become the norm rather than the exception, and a generation of players raised on knockout pressure arrives in North America believing the long wait can finally end.
The 2026 campaign drops England into Group L, and it is anything but a stroll. Croatia remain one of Europe's most streetwise tournament sides, with a recent pedigree of going deep when it matters and a midfield culture that punishes any team that loses control of the tempo. Ghana bring athleticism, ambition and a history of rising to the occasion against traditional powers, while Panama — battle-hardened since their first appearance on this stage — will sit deep, scrap for everything and relish the underdog role.
The schedule is set. England meet Croatia on 17 Jun 2026, 15:00 local at AT&T Stadium, Dallas (listed home), then face Ghana on 23 Jun 2026, 16:00 local at Gillette Stadium, Boston (listed home), before closing against Panama on 27 Jun 2026, 17:00 local at MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey. The opener in Dallas is the heavyweight clash of the group and may well decide who tops it.
Under the expanded 48-team format, the top two in Group L advance to the Round of 32, joined by the eight best third-placed sides across the tournament. That safety net softens the blow of a slip against Croatia, but England's ambitions run far beyond merely qualifying — winning the group means a kinder knockout path, and that East Coast finale at MetLife could carry real seeding stakes.
England at the 2026 World Cup — FAQ
- Who is in England's 2026 World Cup group?
- England are in Group L at the 2026 World Cup, alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama. Croatia are the standout rival, with Ghana and Panama both capable of complicating the picture.
- When does England play in the 2026 World Cup group stage?
- England face Croatia on 17 Jun 2026 at 15:00 local at AT&T Stadium, Dallas; Ghana on 23 Jun 2026 at 16:00 local at Gillette Stadium, Boston; and Panama on 27 Jun 2026 at 17:00 local at MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey.
- Can England win the 2026 World Cup?
- They are genuine contenders. England lifted the trophy once, in 1966, and the current era has delivered consistent deep runs at major tournaments. With the squad depth they bring to North America, navigating Group L should be the start, not the ceiling — though Croatia in the opener is a serious early test.