England’s World Cup last-32 opponents CONFIRMED and route to final revealed after end of group stage

ENGLAND’S last-32 opponent and path to the World Cup final has been CONFIRMED. The Three Lions face DR Congo in the first knockout round and will likely have to overcome some of the planet’s best teams to reach the showpiece event on July 19 in New York. Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane scored second-half goals in the victory over Panama in their final group game. The win sealed their spot at the top of the group while Croatia finished second with a 2-1 success over Ghana. Finishing as group winners has given Thomas Tuchel‘s side the privilege of facing one of the eight best third-placed teams. DR Congo‘s 3-1 comeback win over Uzbekistan saw them climb into the third-placed qualification spots READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP The African side will now face England for a spot in the last-16 on Wednesday at the Atlanta Stadium, Georgia. They had to fight back against Uzbekistan after Eldor Shomurodov opened the scoring in the opening ten minutes. But goals from Yoane Wissa and Fiston Mayele were enough for DR Congo to progress. Should England progress past the African side, then they would face either host nation Mexico or Ecuador in the last-16. Most read in Sport WORLD CUP 2026 FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS World Cup 2026 - all the info LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED! This year’s World Cup is like no other as a record-breaking 48 nations compete to lift football’s biggest prize. England manager Thomas Tuchel is hoping to finally bring football home after a 60-year drought. But footballing legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have other plans in what will likely be their final World Cup appearance. SunSport have got everything you need for the huge tournament LATEST NEWS - England team news vs Panama ‘leaked’ as Tuchel makes popular change - Scotland World Cup hopes STILL alive – but they need these results - Mehdi Taremi in blistering attack on Fifa and reveals Infantino encounter - Cape Verde will face Argentina in World Cup knockouts - Manuel Ugarte stretchered off as Uruguay go OUT of tournament KEY INFO - World Cup 2026 full match schedule including kick-off times - World Cup 2026 full squads - World Cup 2026 rule changes - World Cup 2026 prize money VIDEO - Proper Football Daily: Get all the expert analysis each morning - Team Talk – Tactics Exposed: Dive into the tactical talking points TIPS AND BETTING If you click a link in this article, we will earn affiliate revenue. That game would be at the home of Mexico in the Estadio Azteca on July 6 at 1am UK time. The quarter-finals would then see a potential opponent from Brazil, Japan, the Ivory Coast or Norway in Miami on July 11 at 11pm UK time. If England continue their hunt for glory to the final four, then they would likely come up against either reigning champions Argentina or Colombia. The semi-final is booked to be played at the Atlanta Stadium on July 15 at 8pm UK time. And if the Three Lions reach the final in New York on July 19 then they would have the chance to end 60 years of hurt. Their opponents could be any one of Germany, France, Spain, Portugal or Holland – barring any huge surprises. England could have a major issue at right-back for the last-32 clash with Jarell Quansah picking up an injury against Panama. The blow to the Bayer Leverkusen defender has added to Tuchel’s woes after injuries to Reece James and Tino Livramento. England's route to the World Cup final ENGLAND have reached the World Cup knockout stages and face the DR Congo in the last-32 Here is a look at what their potential run to the final in New York on July 19 could look like. LAST-32 - England vs DR Congo – Atlanta Stadium, July 1 – 5pm BST LAST-16 - England vs Mexico – Mexico City Stadium, July 6 – 1am BST QUARTER-FINAL - England vs Brazil, Japan, Ivory Coast or Norway – Miami Stadium, July 11 – 11pm BST SEMI-FINAL - England vs likely Argentina or Colombia – Atlanta Stadium, July 15 – 8pm BST FINAL - England vs likely Germany, France, Spain, Portugal or Holland – New York New Jersey Stadium – July 19, 8pm BST CLICK ON PIC FOR STAR’S PROFILE James could make a return in the later stages, while Livramento was ruled out of the tournament entirely. Tuchel has admitted that the situation has left him “worried” over the position. Speaking after the win over Panama, the German said: “A classic ankle twist and he is in pain. “He said he had it before and it is a matter of days. He has his leg up high and in ice. “Naturally of course [I am worried about the right-back situation] – we have another injury in the position. “It will be a tight race for Reece James and a tight race for Jarell Quansah but it is our job to find solutions and we will do.” Ironically, DR Congo will have West Ham’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka playing at right-back. The former Manchester United man played for the Three Lions at U20 and U21 levels, but never appeared for the senior sidee.