The group stage of the 2026 World Cup is drawing to a conclusion, and the path to the final is becoming clearer.
Scotland look set for elimination after a 3-0 defeat to Brazil, coupled with South Korea losing to South Africa. The Tartan Army will be hoping for a number of favourable results to sneak through to the round of 32 and face a nervy wait to see how it plays out.
England technically haven't qualified yet, but will do so as the other groups are finalised, and will almost certainly top Group L with a win over Panama on Saturday night.
As group winners, the Three Lions will be placed in the bottom half of the draw along with the winners of Group J and K. But who are they in line to face? Read on to find out.
England's potential round of 32 opponent
Assuming England do win Group L, they will face one of the third-placed teams. The betting suggests the third-placed teams in Groups C, E, G and H won't progress. In which case, England would face the third-placed team from Group K, which would be DR Congo if they beat Uzbekistan.
If DR Congo fail to beat Uzbekistan, a third place spot would likely go to another group, meaning Senegal would be England's likely round of 32 opponents.
England's potential round of 16 opponent
Things get trickier from there for England. Mexico, as Group A winners, could have faced Scotland in the round of 32 but now look set to face Ecuador after their win over Germany.
If the co-hosts get through their round of 32 clash, they would play England at the Azteca.
England's potential quarter-final opponent
Should England get that far, they will find themselves on a collision course with Group C winners Brazil and Group I runners-up, which will be Norway unless they beat France in their final group game. Norway would face Ivory Coast as Group E runners-up in their round of 32 game, with the winner of that tie likely facing Brazil.
England's potential semi-final opponent
Things step up another notch as the tournament reaches the final four. Assuming Spain and France join Germany as group winners, they will stay in the top half of the draw. Portugal need to beat Colombia in their final group game to find themselves in the bottom half of the draw alongside Argentina and England.
If they win their group, Portugal could find themselves facing Ghana and Canada en route to the quarter-finals, while Argentina look set to face Cape Verde and either Belgium or Egypt before we see a showdown between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The winner of that tie would then set up a semi-final with England.
England's potential final opponent
Should they get that far, England's most likely final opponent would be either Spain or France, who are set to meet in the semi-finals should they win their groups. Germany may also reach the latter stages, but could bow out if they meet France in the round of 16.
