The full schedule for England's group stage campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been officially confirmed, setting the Three Lions' path in North America.
England's World Cup Group L Schedule
Following Saturday's dedicated broadcast to finalise timings, Gareth Southgate's side now know their exact itinerary. England will begin their tournament against Croatia at 9pm GMT on Tuesday, June 17, 2026. The high-profile opening match will be staged at the colossal AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas.
The team's second Group L fixture sees them take on Ghana. That match is also scheduled for a 9pm GMT kick-off on Monday, June 23, but the location shifts to the historic Gillette Stadium in Boston, Massachusetts.
England will conclude their group stage endeavours against Panama. The final match is set for 10pm GMT on Friday, June 27 at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, a venue familiar to many Premier League fans from past summer tours.
Tuchel's Reaction to a 'Tough' Draw
Speaking after Friday's draw placed England in Group L with Croatia, Ghana, and Panama, manager Thomas Tuchel was respectful of the challenge ahead. He described the draw as "tough" and insisted that "no one can be underestimated."
"We have Croatia and Ghana, two regulars in World Cups, and we have Panama," Tuchel stated. "I don't know much about Panama but we will know everything about them when the tournament starts."
Highlighting the difficulty of the opener, Tuchel noted: "Croatia is the standout name [and] the highest-ranked team from Pot 2 that we got into our group. It's a difficult opener against Croatia."
He also warned of the threats posed by the other opponents: "Ghana is always full of talent and can always surprise and has a big history in World Cup football. Also, Panama will try to make the most in the underdog role. No one can be underestimated, everyone deserves the fullest respect and we will show that."
The Road Ahead in the USA
The confirmation of venues and times allows fans to start planning their support for the Three Lions across three major American cities. The mix of 9pm and 10pm GMT kick-off times will be considered favourable for viewers in the United Kingdom, avoiding the need for extremely late-night viewing.
With the draw and schedule now firmly in place, the long build-up to the 2026 World Cup begins in earnest for England, aiming to build on their recent tournament performances and finally bring football home.
