England face Algeria and Scotland meet Mexico in World Cup round of 32 as things stand

England are set to face Algeria in the World Cup round of 32 in Atlanta on July 1, while Scotland would meet co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City on the same day — though both fixtures remain subject to change as the group stage reaches its conclusion.

Thomas Tuchel’s side were held to a goalless draw by Ghana in Boston on Tuesday, a result that keeps England top of Group L but leaves their knockout opponent uncertain until the final round of fixtures is complete. England face Panama in their last group game on Saturday, while Algeria take on Austria in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Scotland’s path to the knockout rounds grew considerably more difficult after a 3-0 defeat to Brazil in Group C in Miami on Wednesday night. Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. scored twice, with Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha also on the scoresheet. The result drops Steve Clarke’s side to third in their group and currently sixth among all third-placed teams — a position that would be enough to advance, but one that is likely to shift as the remaining groups play their final fixtures.

Should Scotland qualify as one of the eight best third-placed teams, they would face Mexico in Mexico City at 2am UK time on July 1.

England’s specific round-of-32 opponent is determined by FIFA’s combination matrix, which assigns matchups based on which eight third-placed teams advance across all 12 groups. The matrix means that Scotland’s qualification or elimination from Group C could indirectly alter England’s potential opponents, even though the two sides cannot meet at this stage — the inclusion or absence of Group C’s third-placed team shifts the arithmetic that determines which third-placed side from Groups E, H, I, J, or K is assigned to England.