When is every England match at the FIFA World Cup 2026? Dates and kick-off times
With just over six months to go until the World Cup 2026 gets underway, anticipation is steadily building across the footballing world. Set to be the biggest tournament in history, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, it promises a month-long spectacle on an unprecedented scale.For England, expectations are once again high. The Three Lions will arrive as one of the favourites - a status that's been well and truly earned over the past year or so.Under the guidance of Thomas Tuchel, England have looked assured, organised and ruthless when required. Their qualification campaign was close to flawless: eight wins from eight matches, with not a single goal conceded along the way.As kick-off draws closer, all eyes will be on how - and when - England begin what they hope will finally be a long-awaited march to World Cup glory. Here, Mirror Football runs through everything you need to know about the Three Lions' fixtures list.READ MORE: England given clear World Cup verdict as expert 2026 sport predictions madeREAD MORE: FIFA chief Gianni Infantino speaks out amid fury over World Cup ticket pricesWhen are England's World Cup 2026 group games?England have been drawn into Group L, alongside Ghana, Croatia and Panama. Their entire World Cup group campaign will be played in the USA.Croatia will be their first opponents on Wednesday, June 17. The match takes place at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with kick-off set for 9pm UK time.After that, they'll face Ghana on Tuesday, June 23. The clash will be staged at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, with kick-off slated for 9pm UK time again.Then, to round off the group stage, England take on Panama on Saturday, June 27. The tie will be held at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Kick-off is set for 10pm UK time.Here is the fixture list for the group in full:England vs Croatia – June 17 – AT&T Stadium, Texas, USA – 9pmEngland vs Ghana – June 23 – Gillette Stadium, Massachusetts, USA – 9pmPanama vs England – June 27 – MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA – 10pmEngland's knockout fixtures if they win the World Cup 2026 groupEngland's route through the 2026 World Cup will hinge on where they finish in Group L, with both their travel schedule and potential opponents varying significantly as a result.With the tournament spread across North America, the Three Lions face a uniquely demanding itinerary. They could be asked to cope with the humidity of Atlanta, the altitude of Mexico City, or the cooler conditions in cities such as Toronto or Vancouver - a logistical challenge unlike any previous World Cup.Should England top their group, they would contest a round of 32 tie against a third-placed qualifier on at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. That match would kick off at 12am UK time in the early hours of Thursday, July 2.Victory there would likely set up a round of 16 clash on Sunday, July 5. The game would be staged at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, with an 11pm UK kick-off. Progressing further would take England into a quarter-final on Saturday, July 11 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, scheduled for an 8pm UK start.A place in the last four would see the Three Lions return to Atlanta for a semi-final on Wednesday, July 15, again kicking off at 8pm UK time. The final takes place on Saturday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with kick-off set for 8pm UK time.Below is England's route to the final if they top the group:Round of 32 – July 1 – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, USA – 12am (July 2)Round of 16 – July 5 – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico – 11pmQuarter-final – July 11 – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, USA – 8pmSemi-final – July 15 – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, USA – 8pmFinal – July 19 – MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA – 8pmEngland's knockout fixtures if they finish second in World Cup 2026 groupFinishing second in the group would still seal automatic qualification to the knockout rounds for the Three Lions. But their path to the final will likely be a little tougher than if they top it.First up, in the round of 32, they take on the runners-up of Group K at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada. For UK viewers, kick-off for that match will take place on July 3 at 1am.A win there would set up a round of 16 clash, most likely against Spain - on Monday, July 6 at the AT&T Stadium in Texas. Kick-off for that match is scheduled for 10pm UK time.If England reach the quarter-finals, they will face their opponents at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Friday, July 10, with kick-off at 8pm UK time.A place in the semi-finals would see the Three Lions return to AT&T Stadium for a showdown on Tuesday, July 14, with kick-off for UK viewers at 1am on Wednesday, July 15.Here is England's route to the final if they finish runner-up in the group:Round of 32 – July 2 – BMO Field, Toronto, Canada – 1am (July 3)Round of 16 – July 6 – AT&T Stadium, Texas, USA – 10pmQuarter-final – July 10 – SoFi Stadium, California, USA – 8pmSemi-final – July 14 – AT&T Stadium, Texas, USA – 1am (July 15)Final – July 19 – MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA – 8pmSky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL packageThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreSky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
