The path to the ultimate for England – followers left puzzled by wacky World Cup schedule

Some wacky game timings have led many fans to be puzzled as what the road to the final actually looks like for the Three Lions, but we have done a handy breakdown on who England could face every step of the way, including KO times

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It has been 60 years since England last won the World Cup, as the nation prays that this year is the time it finally comes home. But some wacky game timings have led many fans to be puzzled as what the road to the final actually looks like for the Three Lions.

The stakes are high for the Panama game tonight (Saturday) as Thomas Tuchel’s side attempt to top the group to get into a winning run to the final.

But the different routes are all shaped by where England finish in their group, and how the tournament’s other favourites fare in theirs. And fans have been left baffled by the weird KO times and location changes.

England superfan Adam Peterson, member of Middlesex supporters club, said: “It is one of those ones this year. The time difference is making it hard for people to follow along religiously like they normally would.

“Most people are staying at home because the kick off times are all over the place so there’s not the normal build up and camaraderie. It’s a mess, and no one knows who we could get next. With third spot going through now, there’s too many possibilities.”

England’s group L ranks around middle of the pack in terms of overall difficulty, but to face an easier draw in the next round, they need to really top it.

Croatia, the 11th ranked side, were dispatched 4-2 in the opening game of the group but the 0-0 draw against Ghana means that tonight against Panama is pretty much a must win.

What do the games look like if England top the group?

Round of 32

If England top Group L, they will play next on Wednesday July 1 at 5pm in Atlanta, meaning it is likely the country would all be in to watch. They would face one of the eight teams who have qualified for the knockouts in third place from either group E, H, I, J or K.

Germany, Argentina, France and Spain have already topped their groups and if we assume Portugal win theirs, it would leave possible round-of-32 opponents as: Ecuador (Group E), Senegal (Group I), Austria or Algeria (Group J) or Congo DR (Group K).

Round of 16

Should England then go through, they will next play on Monday July 6 at the much more unsociable time of 1am. Hypothetically, it would likely mean that they could face Mexico, playing at altitude at the world-famous Estadio Azteca Mexico City.

It could change depending on other results, of course, but England would likely face either be the winners of Group A (Mexico), or the best-third placed team from Group E, F, H or I in Mexico City, in a game that kicks off at 1am in the UK.

Among the best third place teams currently in these groups are Ecuador, Sweden and Iran.

Quarterfinal

This could be the first major test for England. If they sail through the former games, and the other sides all perform as predicted, England would then play on Saturday July 11 and it could be against Brazil.

Kick off would be 10pm UK time with the game taking place in Miami.

England’s opponent would be whoever wins the round-of-16 tie in New Jersey on July 5. That match will be contested between the Group C winners – Brazil – or the Group F runners up – Sweden or Japan – versus the Group E runners up – Ivory Coast – or the Group I runners up – Norway.

The last time England faced Brazil in a World Cup quarterfinal was in 2002, when Ronaldinho’s iconic lobbed free-kick over David Seaman. They went on to win it.

Semifinal

Should England be able to get past the likes of Arsenal’s King of Brazil Gabriel, they would then play on Wednesday July 15 with an 8pm KO UK time.

This is where it also could get emotional for some, as the likelihood is that they would face arch enemies Argentina.

If Portugal join Argentina in winning their groups and advance through the opening knockout rounds, then Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will face off in a quarterfinal clash in Kansas City on July 11. The winner of that will take on England, should they progress to the semis.

The Final

This will take place on Sunday July 19 at 8pm in New Jersey. And should England beat off all the big boys on the way, it is likely they would either face Spain or France here.

Topping the group means England have avoided the side of the draw where several of their European rivals lie, including with Germany and the Netherlands.

Favourites from that side France and Spain, results going their way, could meet in the semifinal. France may be the top-ranked side in the world right now but Spain are currently still tournament favourites.

Spain, of course, beat Gareth Southgate’s England in 2024’s European Championship final, but could history be rewritten should the sides meet again?