Tuchel Sets England’s 2026 World Cup Fixtures Today Roadmap
England’s world cup fixtures today are set, with Thomas Tuchel’s side drawn to face Croatia, Ghana and Panama in the 2026 group stage. The dates are fixed, the cities are split across the United States, and the schedule gives England a clear route into the tournament’s first test.
Tuchel’s group path
England will play Croatia in Dallas on 17 June at 3pm local time, Ghana in Boston on 23 June at 4pm local time, and Panama in New York/New Jersey on 27 June at 5pm local time. Those are the three fixtures that now define the group phase, with each match landing in a different host city.
Tuchel has already set the tone for the campaign. At his unveiling in October 2024, he said the aim was “to try and put a second star on the shirt”. This week he added: “We can’t be one of the favourites as we haven’t won it for so long”.
England’s qualifying form
The draw comes after England qualified with eight wins from eight games, scoring 22 goals and conceding none. That record created a strong platform, even if the level of opposition in qualifying was not demanding.
Tuchel also made his selection calls with force. Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold were left out, while Ivan Toney was included, and England are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 system. The manager has extended his contract through Euro 2028, so this is not a short-term reset.
Bellingham, Kane, Rice
Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Declan Rice are part of the core Tuchel is building around as England move toward 2026. That trio will carry the weight of the group stage assignments, with the first match against Croatia on 17 June setting the early shape of the campaign.
England also beat New Zealand and Costa Rica in warm-up matches in Florida, and Tuchel said after the Costa Rica game, “This will hopefully be an amazing experience”. For supporters, the practical picture is now simple: three matches, three dates, and three US locations that fix the travel plan well before the tournament begins.
