England into last 16 – what is their path to the final?

July 1, 2026 No Comments

England into last 16 – what is their path to the final?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, England will next face Mexico at 01:00 BST on Monday, 6 July with the game live on BBC TV, radio and onlineByDaniel AustinBBC Sport Senior JournalistPublished28 June 2026Updated 42 minutes agoEngland are through to the last 16 of the World Cup after overcoming a scare to beat DR Congo in their first knockout fixture.The Three Lions were rescued by their captain Harry Kane, who scored twice in the last 15 minutes to secure a 2-1 win after Thomas Tuchel’s side had gone a goal down.

It means England are one step closer to reaching their third major tournament final of the decade.

Who will England play in the last 16?

Mexico players celebrate scoring the first goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City — Image caption,

Mexico do not boast too many standout individuals, but they demonstrated a resolute work ethic and strong self-belief in the group, scoring eight goals and conceding none

Monday, 6 July – 01:00 BST (live on BBC TV, radio and online)

England face a tough test in the last 16 as they have the daunting task of going to Mexico to play the tournament co-hosts at the Azteca Stadium.

Mexico’s competitive record at the iconic venue is 70 wins from 89 games, with 17 draws and only two defeats. They are also unbeaten in 10 World Cup games there.

They have been in excellent form at this World Cup, too, with the tournament co-hosts having won all four games, scored eight goals and conceded none.

Mexico are ranked ninth in the world and have not lost a competitive fixture since a 2-0 defeat by Honduras in the first leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarter-final in November 2024 – a run of 13 unbeaten matches.

They produced a high-energy and intense first half against Ecuador in their last-32 match, establishing a two-goal lead after just half an hour against a side that had not conceded more than one goal in any match in more than two years.

The Azteca sits more than 7,000 feet above sea level, with that kind of altitude potentially causing shortness of breath, increased heart rate and fatigue for players who are not used to it.

What about potential quarter-final opponents?

Saturday, 11 July – 22:00 BST

Five-time winners Brazil are in England’s section of the draw and are potential quarter-final opponents.

Vinicius Jr and Co topped Group C – knocking out Scotland in the process – but were unconvincing on the one occasion they were truly tested, drawing 1-1 with Morocco in their opening fixture.

They needed an injury-time winner from Gabriel Martinelli to beat Japan 2-1 in the last 32, having earlier fallen behind.

And Norway, who finished second behind France in Group I, have impressed in their first World Cup appearance since 1998.

With Manchester City’s Erling Haaland up front, they would pose a significant threat.

He scored the late winner as Norway overcame Ivory Coast 2-1 on Tuesday in Dallas, taking him to five goals in three games in his first World Cup and 60 from 53 appearances for his country overall.

If England reach this stage, they will be playing in Miami.

Vinicius Jr celebrates with arms raised and a broad smile after scoring for Brazil against Scotland at the World Cup — Image caption,

Vinicius Jr scored four goals and assisted another in the group stage

And the semi-final?

Wednesday, 15 July – 20:00 BST

We’re getting a fair bit ahead now, but if England were to make it this far, they could face the defending champions.

Perhaps the favourites to reach this stage would be Argentina, who won all three of their group games as Lionel Messi continued to deliver on the biggest stage of all in the month he turned 39, scoring five goals so far.

Their first knockout tie is against surprise package Cape Verde, before a last-16 match against the winner of Australia and Egypt.

Also in this section of the draw are Colombia, who would face Argentina in the quarter-final if both nations win their first two knockout fixtures. They topped their group, ahead of Portugal, having won two of their three matches.

Other perhaps less likely potential opponents in the final four include Switzerland, Algeria and Ghana, who are all in the same side of the draw as England.

Reaching the semi-final would mean a return for England to Atlanta, where they beat DR Congo in their last-32 match.

Lionel Messi celebrates with his arms stretched wide after scoring in the 2026 FIFA World Cup — Image caption,

Lionel Messi is now the top scorer in World Cup history, having surpassed the previous record set by former Germany forward Miroslav Klose by scoring in Argentina’s win over Austria

Let us dream… what about the final?

Sunday, 19 July – 20:00 BST

All 16 teams in the other half of the draw are potential World Cup final opponents for England.

The strongest sides who England could not possibly face before the final include 2018 winners and 2022 runners-up France, 2010 victors Spain and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco.

France and Morocco could meet each other in the quarter-finals, with the winners then most likely to face Spain in the last four.

Spain will play Portugal in the last 16 if both win their first knockout ties – Spain take on Austria, while Portugal are up against Croatia.

Also in the opposite half of the draw are Paraguay, Canada, USA, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belgium and Senegal.

The final will be held in New Jersey in front of 82,500 fans.