Is it finally coming home this year?
England, one of the world’s preeminent soccer nations, has not won a major international trophy since the 1966 World Cup, and it will look to end that drought in glorious fashion at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The No. 4 ranked national team has been drawn into Group L alongside Croatia (who bested them in the semifinals at the 2018 World Cup), Ghana and Panama.
The Three Lions should be the favorites to top the group with all of their Premier League talent, but their path is far from easy. Any one of the teams they’ll face in the tournament’s early stage has the ability to pull a major upset.
Wednesday, June 17, 3 p.m. (Fox): England vs. Croatia, AT&T Stadium (Arlington)
Wednesday, June 17, 6 p.m. (FS1): Ghana vs. Panama, BMO Field (Toronto)
Tuesday, June 23, 3 p.m. (Fox): England vs. Ghana, Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)
Tuesday, June 23, 6 p.m. (Fox): Panama vs. Croatia, BMO Field (Toronto)
Saturday, June 27, 4 p.m. (Fox): Panama vs. England, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Saturday, June 27, 4 p.m. (FS1): Croatia vs. Ghana, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
As with any major tournament England plays in, can it finally get over the line? Maybe the most talented squad in the world during the last World Cup-European championship cycle has endured more knockout-round heartbreak than anyone.
England fell to arch rival France in the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup, after captain Harry Kane missed a penalty that would have tied the game. Then, in the final of Euro 2024, it was outclassed by Spain, as substitute Mikel Oyarzabal scored late to break English hearts.
The team hopes it can break the spell it’s been under for the last four years and hoist the 2026 World Cup trophy when it’s all said and done.
England’s roster is loaded with outstanding players from the Premier League like Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka and Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. But its linchpin hails from La Liga in Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham.