World Cup
England’s 2026 Football World Cup Road To Glory
William Hill News previews England’s potential run to the 2026 World Cup Final in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The Three Lions are expected to go far, but it will take beating the best.
Group Stage:
England open their campaign on 17th June against Croatia in Dallas, before facing Ghana on 23rd June in Boston and rounding off the group against Panama on 27th June in New Jersey.
On paper, The Three Lions have a favourable draw. Panama were on the receiving end of England’s biggest ever World Cup win, a 6-1 demolition in 2018, meanwhile Ghana are currently ranked just 72nd in the world.
Croatia are the standout threat, and England fans won’t need reminding of the 2018 semi-final heartbreak, though The Three Lions did get their revenge at Euro 2020.
Thomas Tuchel’s side should be expected to cruise to the top of Group L, and they are a 1/3 shot to get the job done.
Round of 32:
If The Three Lions go on to win Group L, they would face a 3rd placed team from Groups E/H/I/J/K in Atlanta. The fixture should be a relatively straightforward opener for the knockout stages.
Round of 16:
The Group L winner faces the runner-up of Group K in the last 16. Portugal are expected to top that group, which also contains Colombia, DR Congo, and Uzbekistan.
We’re predicting Colombia to be England’s opponents. It would be a repeat of the memorable 2018 last-16 clash, where England edged through on penalties thanks to Eric Dier’s decisive spot-kick.
Tipped as World Cup dark horses, Colombia may turn out to be England’s first major test after favourable fixtures in the opening stages.
Quarter Final:
Brazil are tipped to win Group C ahead of Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland, and are poised to be amongst the last 8 remaining, which could set up a blockbuster quarter final with England.
The two teams haven’t met in a competitive match since the 2002 World Cup, where a star-studded Brazil knocked England out on their way to lifting the trophy in Japan.
Semi Final:
The new World Cup format and seeding system now can no longer protect England from Argentina and Spain here and are once again amongst the outright favourites to lift the trophy.
Argentina are the reigning World Champions, and Spain are the reigning Champions of Europe. Whichever team England face, it would be one of the toughest matches in world football.
Final:
Should England survive that gauntlet, France are their most likely opponents in the final. Les Blues have a favourable group and knockout path, and under the new bracket rules, they cannot meet England until the very last game, and it would be a fitting finale.
Summary:
The group stage seemingly gives England a relatively stress-free knockout path, but if they make it to past the round of 16 it could get brutal very quickly. Tuchel’s side will know that to win it, they’ll almost certainly have to topple some of the greatest footballing nations of all time: Brazil, Argentina, France, and Spain.
World Cup 2026 – England – Stage Of Elimination Odds
Group Stage – 20/1
Round of 32 – 4/1
Round of 16 – 3/1
Quarter Final – 7/2
Semi Final – 5/1
Runner Up – 6/ 1
Winner – 11/2
*Prices accurate at time of writing – odds subject to change*
