ENGLAND and Spain could clash in a mouth-watering 2026 FIFA World Cup final after each team’s potential route to the July 19 showpiece in New York was revealed.
With the enthralling group stage wrapped up and Round of 32 fixtures almost complete, players and coaches now have an idea of who they may face as the tournament continues to progress.
England, who topped their group with two wins and one draw, edged past minnows DR Congo on Wednesday to book a tantalising last-16 clash at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City against co-hosts Mexico.
Spain, meanwhile, also topped their group – despite an embarrassing 0-0 draw to Cape Verde, who were making their first ever appearance on international football’s biggest stage and defied all expectations to progress to the knockouts.
A comprehensive 3-0 win over Austria in California on Thursday evening booked La Roja an eye-catching last-16 tie against Iberian neighbours Portugal.
England and Spain have been placed in different halves of the draw, meaning the two sides could only meet in the final.
That would mark the first meeting between the two sides since the Euro 2024 final in Berlin, when a late Mikel Oyarazabal goal broke English hearts to hand Spain a fourth European title.
England face a trickier route to the final than two years ago, starting with a return to the scene of Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’.
The Azteca Stadium, which is sat 2,240 metres above sea level, is sure to test Thomas Tuchel’s side to the limit, with the England boss already admitting it will be ‘impossible’ for his team to adapt to the altitude in time.
If they can progress, a quarter-final against either five-time winners Brazil or Erling Haaland’s Norway awaits.
A semi-final against Lionel Messi’s Argentina would then follow, before a shot at a first World Cup triumph since 1966.
Spain have an easier pathway to the final, starting off with a last-16 tie on Monday against rivals Portugal, who have largely flattered to deceive so far at this tournament.
A win in Dallas would set up a quarter-final tie against either the United States or Belgium, before a must-watch semi-final clash against favourites France, who have appeared imperious during their first four games of the tournament.
Here are both’s sides potential route to the 2026 final:
England
Group L
4-2 vs Panama
0-0 vs Ghana
2-0 vs Panama
Round of 32
2-1 vs DR Congo
Round of 16
England vs Mexico (Mexico City, Monday 6 July, 2am)
Quarter-finals
England vs Brazil / Norway (Miami, Saturday 11 July, 11pm)
Semi-finals
England vs Argentina / Egypt / Colombia / Switzerland (Atalanta, Wednesday July 15, 9pm)
Spain
Group H
0-0 vs Cape Verde (June 15)
4-0 vs Saudi Arabia (June 21)
1-0 vs Uruguay (June 26)
Round of 32
3-0 vs Austria (July 2)
Round of 16
Spain vs Portugal (Dallas, Monday 6 July, 9pm)
Quarter-finals
Spain vs United States / Belgium (Los Angeles, Friday July 10, 9pm)
Semi-finals
Spain vs France / Paraguay / Canada / Morocco (Dallas, Tuesday July 14, 9pm)
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