England reach World Cup 2026 quarter-finals after 3-2 win over co-hosts Mexico

England are through to the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup after beating co-hosts Mexico 3-2 on Sunday, earning a last-eight tie against Norway in Miami on Saturday at 10pm BST.

The Three Lions’ victory was the standout result of a dramatic round of 16, with France also advancing to book a quarter-final meeting with Morocco on Thursday in Boston.

The remaining last-16 places are still being decided. The United States face Belgium on Monday, with Spain taking on Portugal in the other tie — the winners of those two matches will meet in the quarter-finals. Tuesday evening completes the round of 16, with Argentina facing Egypt and Switzerland taking on Colombia.

This edition of the tournament is the largest in World Cup history, featuring 104 matches across North America — 40 more than the Qatar edition in 2022. The United States is hosting 78 games, with Mexico and Canada each staging 13. From the quarter-finals onwards, all remaining matches will be played on US soil, with the final scheduled at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The expanded tournament has also provided what is widely expected to be the final World Cup stage for two of the sport’s defining figures. Lionel Messi, leading Argentina into the knockout rounds, and Cristiano Ronaldo, whose Portugal side face Spain on Monday, are both likely making their last appearances at this level.

The tournament opened at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium, a venue steeped in World Cup history. It hosted Brazil’s 4-1 win over Italy in the 1970 final — capped by Carlos Alberto’s celebrated team goal — and Argentina’s 3-2 victory over West Germany in 1986, when Jorge Burruchaga scored the winner in the 84th minute. The Azteca is also the ground where Diego Maradona produced both the ‘Hand of God’ and the ‘Goal of the Century’ against England at that same tournament.