England opened their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a commanding victory over Croatia, a second-half masterclass that sent an unmistakable signal to the rest of the tournament. Now, with the Three Lions up and running, the question on every fan's lips is: who could stand between England and the trophy?

Last-32: DR Congo — or a Cristiano Ronaldo reunion

As Group L winners, England will face a third-placed side drawn from Group E, H, I, J, or K. The structural rules of the expanded tournament mean that if a third-placed team from Group K qualifies, they are automatically paired with the Group L winner — and right now, that team is most likely DR Congo.

DR Congo currently sit second in Group K, with Colombia leading the group. Should Colombia hold top spot and DR Congo better Portugal's results across the final two matchdays, Thomas Tuchel's side would meet the Leopards — a more favourable draw than facing Senegal or Ivory Coast, both of whom look stronger on current form.

If DR Congo cannot hold off Portugal, however, England could instead face Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal — a mouthwatering potential replay of the memorable 2004 and 2006 encounters between the two nations.

Round of 16: Mexico, or perhaps Ecuador

Win the last-32 clash and England face the winner of a Group A side against a third-placed qualifier from Group C, E, F, H, or I. Mexico are currently leading Group A as co-hosts, and South Korea represent the main threat to their top spot.

On the other side of this tie, Ecuador — despite a late 1-0 defeat to Ivory Coast — look well placed to progress from Group E, potentially carrying a strong goal difference. Senegal, emerging from the so-called Group of Death, remain another possibility, which would offer England an uncomfortable rematch following last summer's result.

Realistically, this round comes down to Mexico or Ecuador. Given Mexico's formidable home advantage, Tuchel would need to prepare for one of the tournament's toughest potential last-16 encounters.

Quarter-finals: Brazil, Morocco, or a wildcard

The quarter-final picture is the most unpredictable stage of England's hypothetical run. FIFA World Rankings would suggest Brazil as the most likely opponent — a rematch of the famous 2002 quarter-final. Yet a resurgent Morocco, who held Brazil to a 1-1 draw in New Jersey, could finish above the Seleção in their group.

Whoever emerges from that group would likely have navigated past Japan in the last-32 before facing Ecuador or Norway in the last-16. The quarter-final draw from this section of the bracket remains genuinely open.

Semi-finals: Argentina loom largest

The World Cup draw separated England, France, Spain, and Argentina into four distinct corners of the bracket — meaning the two sides of the semi-final are already mapped out. As things stand, England and Argentina would meet for the first time in a major tournament since 2002, while France and Spain contest the other semi-final in what would be a rematch of the Euro 2024 classic featuring Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe.

Lionel Messi and Argentina would need to overcome Uruguay, then potentially Turkey, Australia, or Iran, before possibly meeting Colombia or Portugal ahead of a semi-final berth. History has taught us not to assume — in 2018, many anticipated a Spain versus England semi, only for Russia to eliminate Spain and Croatia to then eliminate Russia.

The final: France, Spain, or Germany

France are widely expected to top their group, with Germany likely to do the same. A potential France versus Germany knockout encounter — echoing their 2014 quarter-final — could emerge before one of them faces the Netherlands. On the other side of the final's draw, Spain look the strongest candidate, though Belgium and Croatia carry knockout pedigree despite modest rankings on paper.

Should Portugal finish second in their group, they too would appear on this side of the bracket — further complicating the picture for whoever reaches the final.

Best and worst case scenarios for England

The most favourable likely route runs: DR Congo in the last-32, South Korea in the last-16, Norway or Ecuador in the quarter-finals, Colombia, Switzerland, or Uruguay in the semi-finals, and Germany, Belgium, or Croatia in the final.

The most challenging path would be: Portugal in the last-32, Mexico in the last-16, Brazil in the quarter-finals, Argentina in the semi-finals, and France or Spain in the final.