Who England will face in Round of 32 – World Cup 2026 knockout phase permutations in full

England’s route to the World Cup final is finally becoming clear despite the ever-changing permutations of the 48-team tournament.

The Three Lions remain top of Group L despite a difficult goalless draw with Ghana in their second World Cup game.

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Thomas Tuchel‘s men, who beat Croatia 4-2 in their opener, have belated confirmed their place in the knockout phase thanks to Uruguay being dumped out.

England face Panama in their final group game on Saturday night, live on talkSPORT, and will want to return to winning ways and top Group L.

The standings have now taken shape after some vital games in the third round of group matches this week.

As a result, fans are in line for some brilliant showdowns between World Cup heavyweights much earlier than they think…

When is England’s last-32 fixture?

If England win Group L, their first World Cup knockout match will take place in Atlanta at 5pm BST on Wednesday, July 1.

Assuming England beat Panama and finish top, their most likely opponent currently is Senegal.

A last 16 clash against either Mexico, or potentially Scotland if they manage to qualify against the odds, in Mexico City would then follow.

Should the Three Lions end up finishing second, their last 32 clash will be held at midnight BST on Friday, July 3 in Toronto.

They will face the runner-up from Group K, which will be Colombia, Portugal or DR Congo.

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And if they somehow slip into third, England would play at 2:30am on Saturday, July 4 in Kansas City against the winner from Group K.

talkSPORT.com have already mapped out England’s route to the final based on who Tuchel’s men are likely to face based on FIFA rankings.

But below reads how each tie will play out live as the results come in and will change accordingly as the World Cup continues.

As it stands on the morning of Saturday, June 27.

World Cup Last 32 fixtures

Monday, June 29 – 9:30pm

• Germany vs Paraguay

Tuesday, June 30 – 10pm

• France vs Sweden

Sunday, June 28 – 8pm

• South Africa v Canada

Tuesday, June 30 – 2am

• Netherlands vs Morocco

Friday, July 3 – 12am

• Portugal vs Ghana

Thursday, July 2 – 8pm

• Spain vs Austria

Thursday, July 2 – 1am

• United States vs Bosnia-Herzegovina

Wednesday, July 1 – 9pm

• Belgium vs South Korea

Monday, June 29 – 6pm

• Brazil vs Japan

Tuesday, June 30 – 6pm

• Ivory Coast vs Norway

Wednesday, July 1 – 2am

• Mexico vs Ecuador

Wednesday, July 1 – 5pm

• England vs Senegal

Friday, July 3 – 11pm

• Argentina vs Cape Verde

Friday, July 3 – 7pm

• Australia vs Egypt

Friday, July 3 – 4am

• Switzerland vs Iran

Saturday, July 4 – 2:30am

• Colombia vs Croatia

World Cup Last 16 fixtures

Saturday, July 4 – 10pm

• Germany / Paraguay vs France / Sweden

Saturday, July 4 – 6pm

• South Africa v Canada vs Netherlands / Morocco

Monday, July 6 – 8pm

• Portugal / Ghana vs Spain / Austria

Tuesday, July 7 – 1am

• United States / Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Belgium / South Korea

Sunday, July 5 – 9pm

• Brazil / Japan vs Ivory Coast / Norway

Monday, July 6 – 1am

• Mexico / Ecuador vs England / Senegal

Tuesday, July 7 – 5pm

• Argentina / Cape Verde vs Australia / Egypt

Tuesday, July 7 – 9pm

• Switzerland / Iran vs Colombia / Croatia

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