England is set to kick off their World Cup journey against Croatia in a bid to break a 60-year championship drought. FIFA conducted an elaborate draw ceremony in Washington, unveiling the groupings for the upcoming tournament.
After securing their spot at the World Cup through a flawless qualification run, the Three Lions have been placed in Group L. Their first challenge will be against Croatia, scheduled to take place in either Toronto or Dallas. The subsequent matchups will see England facing off against Panama, their 2018 rivals, and Ghana, completing the group lineup.
While the English team now knows their opponents, the exact venues for the matches are yet to be determined. Notably, England is assured that they will not encounter other top-seeded teams like Argentina or Spain until the semifinals, with a potential final clash against France if all four teams claim victory in their respective groups.
A secondary draw is slated for Saturday to allocate the match locations. Initially eyeing Group J as their preferred group, which would have involved playing two games in Kansas City – coinciding with the FA’s desired training base location in the city.
Under the guidance of Thomas Tuchel, England has already secured a warm-up base at Inter Miami’s facilities in Florida, where they will engage in two pre-World Cup matches. The FA is required to submit their preferred training base by January 10, 2026.
The English squad seeks to break their prolonged trophy drought dating back to their 1966 World Cup victory on home soil. Recent appearances include a quarterfinal exit in Qatar 2022 and a semifinal finish in Russia 2018. Gareth Southgate led both campaigns but relinquished his role following England’s defeat in the Euro 2024 final against Spain, with Lee Carsley serving as caretaker before Tuchel assumed the managerial position.
Expressing optimism for the World Cup, Tuchel emphasized the importance of team spirit and effort, acknowledging the evolving expectations from fans and enthusiasts. He remains hopeful about England’s prospects while acknowledging the uncertainties of achieving success.
The schedule for England’s Group L matches includes fixtures against Croatia on June 17, Ghana on June 23, and Panama on June 27. The subsequent rounds and potential advancement scenarios are contingent on the team’s performance throughout the tournament.
As the anticipation builds for the World Cup, fans and supporters eagerly await England’s quest for glory, hoping for a successful campaign under Tuchel’s leadership.