England
World Cup 2026 Group L — fixtures, standings, and knockout path
The 2026 spine: Bellingham, Kane, Rice
At 32, Harry Kane remains England's focal point — his 62 international goals trail only Wayne Rooney (53 in 120 games vs Kane's 62 in 89). Jude Bellingham's Real Madrid evolution makes him the tournament's most complete midfielder. Declan Rice anchors a defense that conceded just four goals in Euro 2024 qualifying. The concern? Jordan Pickford remains first-choice keeper despite Everton's struggles.
Group C's revenge subplot
England face Serbia — the nation they last met as Yugoslavia in 1962 — plus Denmark (Euro 2020 semifinal rematch) and an Asian playoff winner. Southgate's side beat Denmark 2-1 in extra time three years prior, but Kasper Hjulmand's team still play the same aggressive 3-4-3 that troubled England at Wembley.
1966 ghosts and modern scars
No host nation has waited longer for another title than England's 60-year drought. Their last three tournaments ended painfully: 2018 World Cup semifinal loss to Croatia, Euro 2020 final penalty heartbreak, and a 2022 quarterfinal exit to France. Only Germany (16) have more World Cup knockout wins than England's 11 since 1966.
Knockout route: top two qualify automatically; a third-place finish may still advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams. View Group L hub →
Group standings
Fixtures & results
| Match | Date | Group | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
England vs  CroatiaEstadio Dallas | Wed, Jun 17, 2026 · 21:00 ET | l | – | Scheduled |
England vs  GhanaEstadio Boston | Tue, Jun 23, 2026 · 21:00 ET | l | – | Scheduled |
 Panama vs EnglandEstadio New York/New Jersey | Sat, Jun 27, 2026 · 22:00 ET | l | – | Scheduled |
Key players
- Harry KaneForward
Frequently asked questions
How many times have England reached the World Cup semifinals?+
Three times: 1966 (won), 1990 (lost to West Germany on penalties), 2018 (lost to Croatia in extra time).
Who is England's all-time top World Cup scorer?+
Gary Lineker with 10 goals — the only Englishman to win the Golden Boot (1986). Kane has 8 in two tournaments.
What stadiums will England play in during 2026?+
Group stage matches will be split between MetLife Stadium (New Jersey) and Gillette Stadium (Boston). Knockout rounds could include AT&T Stadium in Dallas.
Has England ever beaten the USA at a World Cup?+
No. Their only meeting was the infamous 1-0 upset in 1950 — and a 1-1 draw in 2010 group stage.