England head into the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the strongest contenders to end their long wait for international glory.
With England World Cup odds among the shortest in most outright betting markets at online sportsbooks, expectations are high for Thomas Tuchel’s side heading into the tournament. Drawn into Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana, and Panama, the Three Lions will be expected to advance comfortably into the knockout rounds as they chase a first World Cup title since 1966.
Currently ranked fourth in the FIFA World Rankings, England boasts one of the deepest and most talented squads in international football. Below, we’ll examine their Group L schedule, outright odds, game lines, and potential route to the Final.
England World Cup Odds 2026
England is considered by most World Cup sportsbooks to be one of the top three favorites behind Spain and France. The table below displays the current odds to win the World Cup:
England’s World Cup betting lines: England vs Croatia
England starts their 2026 World Cup campaign with a tough game against Croatia. The current game odds are displayed below:
England World Cup Schedule: Group L Opponents & Game Times
| Date | Time | Opponent | Location |
| Wednesday, June 17 | 4 p.m. ET | Croatia | AT&T Stadium (Dallas, USA) |
| Tuesday, June 23 | 4 p.m. ET | Ghana | Gillette Stadium (Boston, USA) |
| Saturday, June 27 | 5 p.m. ET | Panama | MetLife Stadium (New York/New Jersey, USA) |
England’s Path to 2026 World Cup Final
England’s potential route to the Final entirely depends on whether they finish first or second in Group L. Finishing first, they’re likely to face Algeria in the Round of 32, followed by a Round of 16 game against co-hosts Mexico. After that, they may face Morocco in the quarterfinal, followed by a potential semifinal clash against Argentina.
If England finish in second spot in Group L, they’ll likely find it tough to reach the latter stages of the tournament. England would likely face Colombia in the Round of 32, but a Round of 16 clash with Spain is likely to follow. If Thomas Tuchel’s side manages to come through that, a potential quarterfinal against co-hosts USA or Belgium is on the cards, followed by a semifinal against France.
It’s likely to be close at the top of Group L between England and Croatia. It could come down to goal difference, and as England face Panama in their final group game, they’ll see this as an opportunity to score the goals they need to secure top spot.