England Boosts

England's first group match is on Wednesday 17th June at 9:00pm UK time.

They will play old rivals Croatia.

England were drawn in Group L, alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama.

England were top seeds in the draw.

England have three matches during the group stage:

• vs Croatia (17th June - 9:00pm)
• vs Ghana (23rd June - 9:00pm)
• vs Panama (27th June - 10:00pm)

Yes, according to UK bookmakers, England are third favourites to win the World Cup, behind France and Spain.

In general, the Three Lions were around 8/1 pre-tournament to win.

France are the narrow favourites to win the 2026 World Cup and exorcise the disappointment of 2022.

Spain are second favourites, with England and Portugal just behind.

Current champions, Argentina are fifth favourites to retain the trophy.

• Group A : Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, Czech Republic.
• Group B : Canada, Qatar, Switzerland, Bosnia-Herzegovina.
• Group C : Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland.
• Group D : USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey.
• Group E : Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador.
• Group F : Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, Sweden.
• Group G : Belgium, Iran, New Zealand, Egypt.
• Group H : Spain, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Cape Verde.
• Group I : France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq.
• Group J : Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan.
• Group K : Portugal, Uzbekistan, Colombia, DR Congo.
• Group L : England, Ghana, Croatia, Panama.

The FIFA World Cup is being hosted by a trio of nations: Canada, Mexico and USA.

The majority of matches including the final, will be played in the United States.

The tournament has been expanded from 32 nations to 48 nations.

There are twelve groups of four teams, with each side playing three matches.

The top two in the group are guaranteed to qualify for the knock-out stage, along with the best third placed sides.