England out of the World Cup bracket picture still has them moving through Group L at the top, but the route now points to Congo in the last 32. After the draw with Ghana, Thomas Tuchel’s side remain on course to finish first, even with work still to do against Panama.
Thomas Tuchel and Group L
If England win Group L, they will play on Wednesday July 1 at 5pm UK time against a third-placed team from Group E, Group H, Group I, Group J or Group K. That is why Congo is the projected opponent as things stand: the bracket sends the group winners into the Round of 32, but the exact third-placed qualifier is still tied to the final group results.
Tuchel’s side have already left themselves room, but not much of it. The draw with Ghana kept them on course to top the group, yet the next step still depends on closing out the section cleanly and finishing where the bracket expects them to finish.
Mexico in Mexico City
The route gets harder if England get through. The projected Round of 16 would send them to Mexico in Mexico City on Monday July 6 at 1am UK time, with Brazil then set up as potential quarter-final opponents on Saturday July 11.
That sequence is the whole challenge. England would have to move through a third-placed qualifier, then Mexico, then Brazil before reaching the semi-finals, where Argentina and Lionel Messi could lie in wait. If they are going to win a first World Cup since 1966, they will have to do it the hard way.
Argentina and Lionel Messi
For England, the immediate task is still Group L. The wider bracket only sharpens the pressure on every result from here, because one slip changes the path and one win keeps Congo in view for the Round of 32.
