England's World Cup 2026 knockout path revealed: DR Congo first, then Mexico, Brazil and Argentina

Thomas Tuchel’s England will face DR Congo in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup after finishing top of Group L, with Saturday’s 2-0 win over Panama confirming their place as group winners. The tie takes place in Atlanta on Wednesday, 1 July, with the full knockout bracket now mapped out all the way to the final.

England have been drawn on the opposite side of the bracket from Spain, France, Portugal, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium — a significant stroke of fortune that gives Tuchel’s side a theoretically clearer path to the final.

Round of 32: DR Congo (Atlanta, 1 July)

England have never faced DR Congo before. The Leopards, led by Newcastle striker Yoane Wissa, finished third in Group K after a goalless draw with Portugal, a 1-0 defeat to Colombia, and a 3-1 comeback win over Uzbekistan. That draw against Portugal — a side England may yet meet later in the tournament — underlines that Congo are no pushover.

Round of 16: Mexico (Mexico City, 6 July)

Should England progress, they are likely to meet co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Mexico won all three of their group games, though Ecuador — who recorded an historic 2-1 win over Germany to clinch third place in Group E — could yet deny them that home tie. Mexico have not won a World Cup knockout game since they last hosted the tournament 40 years ago.

Quarter-final: Brazil (Miami, 11 July)

A potential quarter-final against five-time world champions Brazil in the Miami heat would be the tie of the tournament. Carlo Ancelotti’s side must first navigate a round-of-32 clash with Japan before a likely last-16 meeting with Norway or the Ivory Coast. England’s only previous World Cup quarter-final against Brazil came in 2002, a 2-1 defeat.

Semi-final: Argentina (15 July)

Defending champions Argentina, who have been handed Cape Verde in the round of 32, would be England’s probable semi-final opponents. Lionel Messi’s side would face Australia or Egypt in the last 16, then one of Switzerland, Algeria, Colombia or Ghana in the quarter-final — a route widely regarded as the most favourable in the draw.

England have not reached a World Cup final since 1966. Whether Tuchel’s side can navigate four consecutive knockout ties against increasingly formidable opposition remains the defining question of their tournament.