England World Cup draw 2026: Group results, schedule, roster, coach and more to know

England will open their 2026 World Cup campaign in familiar territory after being drawn in Group L alongside Croatia, Panama and Ghana, setting up a rematch of the 2018 semifinal that ended the Three Lions’ run in Russia and a repeat of the 6-1 rout they inflicted on Panama in the same tournament.

Drawn as a Pot 1 side thanks to their No. 4 FIFA ranking, England’s path to a first final since 1966 could see them face fellow seeds in the knockout rounds if they top the section, a scenario that would keep them on a collision course with the tournament’s heavyweights.

Thomas Tuchel, appointed in January 2025 after an October announcement, will lead England in his first major tournament since replacing Gareth Southgate. The 52-year-old, whose contract runs only through the World Cup, guided the team through an immaculate qualifying campaign in UEFA Group K: eight wins, 22 goals scored, none conceded.

Tuchel inherits a squad headlined by captain and record scorer Harry Kane and Real Madrid talisman Jude Bellingham, with Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice providing proven international pedigree. Concerns linger over depth at centre-back, full-back and behind Kane, where injury or form issues could derail ambitions.

England’s modern tournament record under Southgate featured a 2018 semifinal, a Euro 2020 final loss on penalties to Italy, and a Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain. The 2022 quarterfinal exit against France highlighted both progress and the fine margins that have kept the trophy elusive since the 1966 triumph on home soil.

A projected 26-man roster will be finalised closer to kick-off, but the core is expected to revolve around the same generation that has reached three consecutive major-tournament finals or semifinals.

Fixtures, venues and kick-off times for Group L will be released by FIFA in the coming months, with England aiming to extend a streak that has seen them advance from the group stage in every World Cup since 1950 bar one.