England qualify for 2026 World Cup after convincing win over Latvia
England are through to next summer's World Cup thanks to a convincing 5-0 win over Latvia in their latest qualifier. Thomas Tuchel's side have dominated their group in the qualifying games and the win in Riga means they are through to next summer's main tournament with two matches to spare.
England is the first European team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after winning their six Group K matches so far, without conceding a single goal.
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England's Harry Kane scores a penalty during the qualifying match against Latvia. Pic: AP
The Three Lions were already up 3-0 at half-time in the Daugava Stadium thanks to Anthony Gordon scoring once and Harry Kane twice, including a penalty.The fourth goal came early in the second half when Djed Spence's shot bounced off the leg of Latvia's Maksims Tonisev. And in the 86th minute, substitute Eberechi Eze scored the final goal for the Three Lions.
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Bukayo Saka is challenged by Latvia's Daniels Balodis. Pic: AP
There are two games left to play for Tuchel's team, against Serbia on 13 November at Wembley Stadium and Albania on 16 November in the country's capital, Tirana.England already beat Serbia 5-0 and Albania 2-0 in earlier qualifiers.
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Next year's men's World Cup will take place from June to July.
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Elliot Anderson, Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford applaud fans after the match. Pic: AP
The 23rd edition of the tournament will take place across 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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The draw for the group stage fixtures will take place in Washington on 5 December, with US President Donald Trump set to join FIFA president Gianni Infantino to decide the match-ups.The 2026 World Cup final will be the first ever to have a half-time show, in a move inspired by the NFL's Super Bowl.
