England have secured their place in the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup after results elsewhere confirmed they cannot finish lower than third in their group. The Three Lions currently sit on four points from two matches, with one group game remaining against Panama on Saturday.
Under the expanded 48-team format, the top two teams from each of the 16 groups advance, along with the eight best third-placed teams. England's four-point tally guarantees them at least one of those third-place berths, regardless of the outcome against Panama.
Manager Gareth Southgate praised the team's consistency but stressed the need to finish top of the group to secure a favorable draw. England's final group match will be played on June 27, 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 21:00 local time.
The team has shown resilience, with a 2-1 win over Iran and a 1-1 draw against the United States. A victory against Panama would ensure top spot in Group B.
