England’s route to the World Cup final has never been more unclear due to the ever-changing permutations of the 48-team tournament.
The Three Lions remain top of Group L despite a difficult goalless draw with Ghana in their second World Cup game.
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Thomas Tuchel’s men, who beat Croatia 4-2 in their opener, have all but mathematically qualified for the last 32 and face Panama in their final group game on Saturday.
The group standings are starting to take shape and there will be some vital games in the third round of group matches this week.
As a result, fans could be in line for some bonkers showdowns between World Cup heavyweights much earlier than they think…
When is England’s last-32 fixture?
If England win Group L, their first World Cup knockout match will take place in Atlanta at 5pm BST on Wednesday, July 1.
Assuming England beat Panama and finish top, their most likely opponent currently is Cape Verde.
Ecuador, Algeria, Senegal and DR Congo are among the possibilities too.
A last 16 clash against either Mexico, or potentially Scotland, in Mexico City would then follow.
Should the Three Lions end up finishing second, their last 32 clash will be held at midnight BST on Friday, July 3 in Toronto.
They will face the runner-up from Group K which looks set to be Portugal or Colombia.
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And if they somehow slip into third, England would likely play at 2:30am on Saturday, July 4 in Kansas City but that would depend on other results.
eSPORTY.com have already mapped out England’s route to the final based on who Tuchel’s men are likely to face based on FIFA rankings.
But below reads how each tie will play out live as the results come in and will change accordingly as the World Cup continues.
As it stands on the morning of Thursday, June 25.
World Cup Last 32 fixtures
Monday, June 29 – 9:30pm
Tuesday, June 30 – 10pm
Sunday, June 28 – 8pm
Tuesday, June 30 – 2am
Friday, July 3 – 12am
Thursday, July 2 – 8pm
Thursday, July 2 – 1am
- United States vs Bosnia-Herzegovina
Wednesday, July 1 – 9pm
Monday, June 29 – 6pm
Tuesday, June 30 – 6pm
Wednesday, July 1 – 2am
Wednesday, July 1 – 5pm
Friday, July 3 – 11pm
Friday, July 3 – 7pm
Friday, July 3 – 4am
Saturday, July 4 – 2:30am
World Cup Last 16 fixtures
Saturday, July 4 – 10pm
- Germany / Paraguay vs France / Sweden
Saturday, July 4 – 6pm
- South Africa v Canada vs Netherlands / Morocco
Monday, July 6 – 8pm
- Portugal / Ghana vs Spain / Austria
Tuesday, July 7 – 1am
- United States / Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Egypt / South Korea
Sunday, July 5 – 9pm
- Brazil / Japan vs Ivory Coast / Norway
Monday, July 6 – 1am
- Mexico / Scotland vs England / Cape Verde
Tuesday, July 7 – 5pm
- Argentina / Uruguay vs Australia / Iran
Tuesday, July 7 – 9pm
- Switzerland / Algeria vs Colombia / Croatia
