England’s highly anticipated 2026 World Cup campaign is set to begin with a bang as the Three Lions face a familiar foe, Croatia, in their opening Group L fixture at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on June 17. The fixture, kicking off at 4pm ET (9pm BST), not only rekindles memories of their 2018 World Cup semi-final clash—where Croatia famously ended England’s run—but also marks the start of a journey that manager Thomas Tuchel and his squad hope will finally deliver global football’s biggest prize.
For England fans and neutrals alike, this group promises plenty of intrigue. Alongside Croatia, Group L features Ghana and Panama—two sides with their own unique histories and challenges. England will meet Ghana for the first time ever in a competitive match on June 23 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, before wrapping up the group stage against Panama at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on June 27. That Panama match, scheduled for a 5pm ET (10pm BST) kickoff, will be closely watched, given England’s emphatic 6-1 victory over the Central Americans at the 2018 World Cup.
The World Cup draw itself, held in Washington DC, was anything but ordinary. In a ceremony described by many as chaotic and even “shameful,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino delivered a speech, US president Donald Trump received a controversial Peace Prize, and Robbie Williams performed, all while former England defender Rio Ferdinand attempted to inject humor into the proceedings. Despite the spectacle, the outcome was clear: England’s path to potential glory is set, with Dallas, Boston, and New York hosting their group games—all at fan-friendly UK evening times.
England’s status as one of the pre-tournament favorites is undisputed. Placed in Pot 1 alongside hosts USA, Mexico, and Canada, as well as other top-ranked nations, Thomas Tuchel’s side carries the weight of expectation. According to Tuchel, the group is anything but straightforward: “We have Croatia and Ghana, two regulars in World Cups, and we have Panama. I don’t know much about Panama, but we will know everything about them when the tournament starts. For me personally, even in the Champions League, you have to focus on the group—the group is always the most difficult, and we want to escape, and we want to win the group. It’s a tough one. No one should be underestimated. Of course, Croatia is the standout name [and] the highest-ranked team from Pot 2 that we got into our group. It’s a difficult opener against Croatia. We take it from here.”
The Croatia fixture, in particular, is laden with narrative. Four years ago, it was Croatia who halted England’s dream in Russia, winning 2-1 after extra time in the semi-final. That defeat still stings for many in the England camp and among supporters. Facing Croatia right out of the gate offers an immediate chance for redemption—and a stern test of England’s credentials under Tuchel, who replaces Gareth Southgate at the helm with a clear mandate: go one step further than his predecessor and bring the trophy home.
Should England top Group L, the path to the final becomes a little less daunting—at least on paper. They would meet a third-placed team from another group in Atlanta on July 1 in the round of 32. More importantly, winning the group would mean avoiding other top seeds like Argentina, Spain, and France until the semi-finals, assuming those giants also win their respective groups. The knockout rounds, however, are always unpredictable, and with co-hosts Mexico, perennial contenders Brazil, and defending champions Argentina lurking, the road to New Jersey’s final on July 19 is fraught with potential obstacles.
The expanded 2026 World Cup format—with 48 teams and 104 matches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico—brings new dynamics. For the first time, the best eight of the 12 third-placed teams will also progress to the knockout phase, adding extra incentive for teams to fight for every point and goal. England’s group, while challenging, is navigable, but Tuchel’s warning rings true: underestimate no one.
Elsewhere, Scotland’s return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence has its own share of drama. Drawn from pot three, the Scots face Haiti, Morocco, and Brazil in Group C. Their opener against Haiti in Boston kicks off at a bleary-eyed 2am BST, with subsequent matches against Morocco and Brazil providing a stern examination of Steve Clarke’s squad. As Clarke put it, “It feels like a World Cup because we play three teams from three different continents and that’s what the World Cup is all about. It’s a strange quirk of fate to draw two teams that we faced at the last World Cup we were at in 1998. Sometimes that happens in the draw.”
The full World Cup draw, spanning groups A to L, showcases the global diversity of football’s showpiece event. Fans can look forward to classic clashes—Brazil vs. Scotland, Germany vs. Ivory Coast, Argentina vs. Algeria—as well as potential Cinderella stories from debutants and underdogs. FIFA’s announcement of all match times and venues has allowed supporters to begin planning what promises to be a summer of footballing spectacle.
England’s schedule, with all matches set for the evening UK time, is a boon for fans eager to follow the action live. The Three Lions’ journey starts in Dallas against Croatia, moves to Boston for the Ghana clash, and concludes in New York versus Panama. Each city brings its own flavor, and the squad will need to adapt quickly to different environments and atmospheres.
As the countdown to June 17 ticks on, the sense of anticipation grows. Can England finally overcome their World Cup hoodoo? Will Tuchel’s tactical nous and the squad’s depth prove decisive? Or will the ghosts of past tournaments resurface? One thing’s certain: with Croatia, Ghana, and Panama standing in their way, England’s group stage is set to provide plenty of drama, tension, and—perhaps—a measure of long-awaited redemption.
With the draw complete and fixtures confirmed, all eyes now turn to the pitch. The world will be watching as England, led by Thomas Tuchel, embark on another quest for football immortality. The journey starts in Texas, but the dream stretches all the way to New Jersey—and, just maybe, to the top of the world.
