What would their dream route to the World Cup final look like if England top their group?
Harry Kane leads England to the perfect start to the World Cup (Image: Getty Images)
England may be just one game away from the World Cup, but it’s not too early for fans to start plotting a possible route to the finals. The Three Lions moved into pole position at the top of Group L with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Croatia, the highest unseeded team in the tournament.
A win against Ghana on Tuesday would ensure England qualify for the round of 32 and possibly also seal first place. This should, in theory, give Thomas Tuchel’s side an easier passage through the early stages of the knockout stages, ahead of matches against powerhouses such as France, Spain and defending champions Argentina.
The bloated nature of this World Cup makes it more difficult to discern potential opponents for the finals. Previously, 32 teams participated, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the final 16.
It is currently a 48-team tournament with the top two teams and the top eight teams in third place. Mirror Football looks at what a potential dream route to the final in New Jersey on July 19 would look like if all the Cards lost to England, even if that was unlikely.
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Last 32 (Atlanta, July 1)
If England win Group L, they will play the third-placed teams from Groups E, H, I, J and K in Atlanta on July 1.
Assuming Germany, Spain, Argentina and Portugal qualify for one of the top two spots, potential opponents include Saudi Arabia, Austria, Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Stronger opponents include Norway, Uruguay and Colombia.
Dream partner: Saudi Arabia
Best 16 (Mexico City, July 6)
If England win that match, they will play in Mexico City in a match that kicks off at 1am on Monday 6 July.
The most likely opponent will be co-host Mexico, who are certain to finish first in Group A. It will be a tough test for England at the altitude of the Azteca Stadium, which has bitter memories from past World Cups.
However, if Mexico are eliminated in the first round of the finals, England could face the third-place finishers in Groups C, E, F, H and I (Scotland, Japan, Sweden, etc.) if they advance to the last 16.
Dream partner: Scotland
Quarterfinals (Miami, July 11)
Brazil could play in Miami on Saturday, July 11 (10pm), at a potentially particularly tough time for Tuchel’s side.
But that will only happen if Brazil tops their group, which is far from certain amid competition from Morocco, who reached the semi-finals in Qatar four years ago. Possible easier opponents, at least on paper, include Japan, Sweden, Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Norway.
Dream partner: Sweden
Semi-finals (Atlanta, July 15)
Again, there are many permutations to consider, but Argentina and Portugal are the most likely potential opponents for England if they win their group.
Perhaps England would prefer to play against the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo. In the dream scenario we’re talking about here, Uruguay and America, as well as the third-place team, would also be potential opponents.
Dream opponent: Uruguay
Finals (New Jersey, July 19)
England will avoid Spain and France until the final, but if all three countries win in their groups, Spain and France will meet in the semi-finals. Other potential finalists include Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.
Dream partner: Belgium
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