England's World Cup has begun - but what is their path to potential glory?
The Three Lions have been handed an advantage already by FIFA's introduction of a Wimbledon-style seeding system, which means they cannot meet Spain or Argentina until the semis or France until the final, should all four countries win their respective groups.
So here is England's potential path to reaching the 2026 World Cup final on Sunday July 19 at the New York-New Jersey (MetLife) Stadium.
We've picked the most likely games England would face based on the FIFA rankings of possible opponents.
Tuesday June 23: England vs Ghana , Boston - kick-off 9pm
Saturday June 27: England vs Panama , New Jersey - kick-off 10pm
2026 World Cup dates, venues and expanded format
Wednesday July 1: England vs Third-placed Group E/H/I/J/K, Atlanta - kick-off 5pm
That could be Ivory Coast, Saudi Arabia, Norway, Algeria or DR Congo.
Monday July 6: England vs Mexico , Mexico City - kick-off 1am
Saturday July 11: England vs Brazil , Miami - kick-off 10pm
Wednesday July 15: England vs Argentina , Atlanta - kick-off 8pm
Sunday July 19: England vs Spain , New Jersey - kick-off 8pm
Friday July 3: England vs Colombia , Toronto - kick-off 12am
Monday July 6: England vs Spain , Arlington - kick-off 8pm
Friday July 10: England vs Belgium , Los Angeles - kick-off 8pm
Tuesday July 14: England vs France , Arlington - kick-off 8pm
Sunday July 19: England vs Argentina , New Jersey - kick-off 8pm
Saturday July 4: England vs Portugal , Kansas - kick-off 2.30am
Tuesday July 7: England vs Switzerland , Vancouver - kick-off 9pm
Saturday July 12: England vs Argentina , Kansas - kick-off 2am
Wednesday July 15: England vs Brazil , Atlanta - kick-off 8pm
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