England have secured top spot in their World Cup group and now face a demanding knockout path that could — if results fall their way — lead them to a third major tournament final this decade.

Last 32: DR Congo in Atlanta

England's first knockout assignment is a last-32 tie against DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday, 1 July at 17:00 BST. DR Congo finished third in Group K after drawing with Portugal, falling to Colombia, and defeating Uzbekistan.

Known as the Leopards, they are ranked 46th in the world and kept a relatively tight defence — conceding just three goals across their three group-stage matches. Their squad carries genuine Premier League pedigree: Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa, West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Burnley centre-back Axel Tuanzebe, and Sunderland left-back Arthur Masuaku all feature.

DR Congo — formerly known as Zaire — became the first Sub-Saharan African nation to qualify for a World Cup back in 1974. This is only their second finals appearance, and their first time competing in the knockout rounds. They were eliminated by Algeria in the Africa Cup of Nations last 16 in January.

Last 16: Mexico at the Estadio Azteca

Should England advance, they could face co-hosts Mexico in the last 16 on Monday, 6 July at 01:00 BST. Mexico were one of just three teams to win all three group-stage matches, aided by playing every fixture on home soil — a luxury that extends into the early knockout rounds.

Both Mexico's last-32 tie with Ecuador and their potential meeting with England are scheduled for Mexico City's iconic Estadio Azteca, which holds 87,500 spectators and sits more than 7,000 feet above sea level. That altitude can produce shortness of breath, elevated heart rates, and fatigue — a significant factor for unacclimatised players.

Mexico are ranked ninth in the world and have gone 12 matches without a competitive defeat, their last loss being a 2-0 reverse to Honduras in the Concacaf Nations League quarter-final in November 2024. Ecuador, who Mexico must first overcome, finished third in Group E after a dramatic 2-1 win over Germany in their final group fixture, and have conceded no more than one goal in any match across 26 games — a run spanning over two years.

Quarter-final: Brazil, Ivory Coast, or Norway in Miami

A potential quarter-final on Saturday, 11 July at 22:00 BST would be held in Miami, and the opponents would come from a formidable pool. Five-time world champions Brazil topped Group C — knocking out Scotland along the way — though they showed vulnerability in a 1-1 draw with Morocco in their opening game. Carlo Ancelotti's side must first deal with Japan in the last 32.

Japan are no pushovers: they finished second behind the Netherlands in Group F, are unbeaten in their last 16 matches, and beat England 1-0 in a friendly at Wembley in March. The other possible quarter-final opponents are Ivory Coast and Norway, who face each other in the last 32.

Ivory Coast boast exciting attacking options in RB Leipzig teenager Yan Diomande, Inter's Ange-Yoan Bonny, and Manchester United winger Amad Diallo, having finished second behind Germany in the group stage. Norway, making their first World Cup appearance since 1998 after finishing second behind France in Group I, carry an obvious danger in Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.

Semi-final: Argentina or Colombia back in Atlanta

Win the quarter-final and England return to Atlanta for a semi-final on Wednesday, 15 July at 20:00 BST. The likeliest obstacle at that stage is Argentina. Lionel Messi, who turned 39 during the tournament, scored five goals as the defending champions won all three of their group matches. Argentina face Cape Verde in the last 32, with the winner of Australia versus Egypt likely to follow in the last 16.

Colombia — who topped their group ahead of Portugal — would meet Argentina in the quarter-final if both teams win their opening two knockout ties, making them another conceivable semi-final opponent. Algeria and Ghana also sit in the same side of the draw as England, though their route to the final four would require overcoming several high-quality sides.

The final: New Jersey on 19 July

The World Cup final takes place on Sunday, 19 July at 20:00 BST in New Jersey, in front of 82,500 fans. England could face any of the 16 teams on the opposite side of the draw — among them 2018 winners France, 2014 champions Germany, and 2010 victors Spain.

France and Germany are set to meet at the last-16 stage if both win their opening knockout fixtures. The Netherlands face a tough last-32 assignment against Morocco, and the winner of that tie could eventually collide with France or Germany in the quarter-finals. Spain, meanwhile, are on course for a potential semi-final showdown after a last-16 clash with Portugal — who first must beat Croatia.

Also on the opposite side of the draw are Paraguay, Sweden, South Africa, Canada, United States, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belgium, and Senegal.