England Football Tickets - World Cup 2026

Current Squad & Key Players

Thomas Tuchel's latest England squad suggests he's still fine-tuning his plans ahead of the World Cup. High-profile omissions such as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jack Grealish underline that no one is guaranteed a place, while surprise call-ups for youngsters like Nico O'Reilly and Alex Scott show a willingness to shake things up. Although the squad below for the November qualifiers may not be the final blueprint, it offers a clear glimpse into the direction the German coach is heading.

November qualifying squad

GK: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace)
GK: Jordan Pickford (Everton)
GK: Nick Pope (Newcastle United)
DF: Dan Burn (Newcastle United)
DF: Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)
DF: Reece James (Chelsea)
DF: Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa)
DF: Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City)
DF: Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen)
DF: Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur)
DF: John Stones (Manchester City)
MF: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest)
MF: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
MF: Jordan Henderson (Brentford)
MF: Alex Scott (Bournemouth)
MF: Declan Rice (Arsenal)
MF: Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
MF: Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
FW: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United)
FW: Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)
FW: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United)
FW: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
FW: Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Manchester United)
FW: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

Key players

Jordan Pickford – Been England's undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for years, producing consistent performances at World Cups and European Championships.

Jude Bellingham – Despite his age, he's delivered in high-pressure matches, including scoring key goals in qualifiers and tournaments.

Harry Kane – England's all-time leading scorer and a proven finisher at major tournaments.

Notable omissions from England's latest squad

Trent Alexander-Arnold – Left out due to inconsistent form and defensive concerns.

Jack Grealish – Left out despite improved performances; questions remain over consistency.

Harry Maguire – Omitted as England move towards younger, more mobile defenders.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek – Lost his place to emerging midfield talents like Alex Scott and Nico O'Reilly.

Morgan Gibbs-White – Missed out due to strong competition.

Myles Lewis-Skelly – Young full-back excluded after limited game time at Arsenal.

James Trafford – Goalkeeper replaced by Nick Pope and Dean Henderson after strong displays.

Recent injury-related absences: Anthony Gordon, Nick Pope, Marc Guehi, Cole Palmer

England's World Cup Qualification Journey

England's path to the 2026 World Cup was nothing short of dominant. Placed in Group K alongside Serbia, Albania, Latvia, and Andorra, the Three Lions delivered a flawless campaign, winning all eight matches and finishing with a perfect record of 24 points. Remarkably, they did so without conceding a single goal, underlining their defensive solidity and tactical discipline under Thomas Tuchel. With 22 goals scored and none conceded, England became the first European team to complete a qualifying campaign of at least six matches with a perfect defensive record. England's all-time top goalscorer, Harry Kane, finished as the side's top scorer in qualifying with eight goals in as many games, which is the form the England captain will want to continue into next summer's tournament. Take a look at England's flawless qualifying record below.

• 21 March 2025 – England 2-0 Albania
• 24 March 2025 – England 3-0 Latvia
• 7 June 2025 – Andorra 0-1 England
• 6 September 2025 – England 2-0 Andorra
• 9 September 2025 – Serbia 0-5 England
• 14 October 2025 – Latvia 0-5 England
• 13 November 2025 – England 2-0 Serbia
• 16 November 2025 – Albania 0-2 England

England's Group Assignment & Opponents

England's campaign begins on 17 June 2026 against Croatia in Dallas, a fixture that recalls the painful semi-final defeat in 2018 when Croatia ended England's run in Russia. Their second match is scheduled for 23 June against Ghana in Boston, a team renowned for their athleticism, pace, and attacking flair. England's final group game will be on 27 June against Panama in New York-New Jersey, a side they faced at the 2018 World Cup, in which Harry Kane led the Three Lions to a memorable 6-1 victory.

This means England are in a diverse group, with opponents from Europe, Africa, and Central America, each offering a different challenge. Croatia bring technical quality and tournament experience, Ghana are known for their energy and unpredictability, while Panama add resilience and determination to the mix. England, ranked among the world's top sides, head into their group as favourites to progress, especially given their consistent presence at recent World Cups and knack for reaching the latter stages of the tournament.

England's depth and pedigree should give them confidence heading into the tournament, with supporters hopeful of ending a 60-year wait for World Cup glory.

England's World Cup 2026 Fixtures

England face a tough start to their World Cup campaign with fixtures against three experienced sides, however, the Three Lions will fancy their chances of progression from Group L. Take a look at their group stage fixtures below:

• June 17, 2026 – England vs Croatia (AT&T Stadium, Dallas, USA)
• June 23, 2026 – England vs Ghana (Gillette Stadium, Boston, USA)
• June 27, 2026 – Panama vs England (MetLife Stadium, New York-New Jersey, USA)

England's Tactical Approach & Playing Style

England's tactical approach under Thomas Tuchel has evolved into a flexible, high-intensity system built on control and adaptability. Tuchel primarily uses a 4-2-3-1 setup, but he's not rigid, and has often changed to either a 3-4-3 or 4-3-3 depending on the opposition or the state of the game.

In terms of defensive structure, Tuchel has placed an emphasis on a disciplined back line and structured pressing. Full-backs often tuck into midfield during build-up, creating overloads and improving ball retention. As a result, England had a flawless qualifying campaign in which they won every game without conceding a single goal.

Tuchel also encourages quick transitions and positional rotations, with Harry Kane dropping deep to link play and wingers like Bukayo Saka exploiting wide spaces, leading to a fluid attacking line-up.

A hallmark of Tuchel's approach is his use of impact substitutes, recently nicknamed the "bomb squad", to inject energy and tactical shifts late in games. This strategy will be crucial in the extreme heat of North America, where Tuchel will have to rotate regularly.

Host Cities & Venues Where England Plays

AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, is one of the most iconic and technologically advanced venues in the United States. Renowned for its sheer scale, retractable roof, and record-breaking video board, it has hosted the Super Bowl, major concerts, and international football fixtures. Home to the Dallas Cowboys, it is now set to welcome England's opening match against Croatia on 17 June 2026. With cutting-edge facilities and Dallas' passionate fan culture, it promises a memorable start to England's campaign.

Gillette Stadium, known as Boston Stadium during the World Cup, combines New England charm with modern design. Its signature lighthouse and bridge overlook the field, while advanced amenities create a fan-friendly atmosphere. Opened in 2002, it is home to the New England Patriots and New England Revolution, and has staged NFL playoff games, international matches, and concerts by global stars. England will face Ghana here on 23 June 2026, with Boston's passionate sports culture providing the perfect backdrop.

MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, completes the trio. Known for its vast capacity and raucous atmosphere, it is home to the New York Giants and Jets and has hosted major events, including Super Bowl XLVIII. England's final group game against Panama on 27 June 2026 will take place here, with New York and New Jersey's energetic fan base adding to the occasion.

World Cup 2026 Fanzones for England Supporters

The World Cup Fan Festival is the go-to destination for fans without a stadium ticket to watch World Cup games. Located across the host cities, fans can watch live match screenings, eat amazing food and see some top-tier entertainment, all while soaking in the tournament atmosphere. Below is a list of the fan zones already announced across the host cities and the ones that are suspected to play a part:

England's Tournament Predictions & Chances

Alongside Spain, France, Brazil, and Argentina, England are widely regarded as one of the favourites to lift the World Cup next summer. Having finished as runners-up in the last two European Championships and reached the latter stages in each of the past two World Cups, England have accumulated the tournament experience needed to challenge for the title. Yet, as every England fan knows, it's been 60 long years since their last major international trophy, raising the question: can they finally go all the way?

Since their heartbreaking Euros defeat to Spain, the Three Lions have ushered in a new era, replacing Gareth Southgate with serial winner Thomas Tuchel. After a shaky start, Tuchel has shaped a formidable side during qualifying, winning all eight games without conceding a single goal. England fans will be hoping that this momentum carries through to the World Cup and finally ends the wait for silverware.

England's World Cup History & Legacy

England's sole World Cup victory came in 1966 on home soil, when Sir Alf Ramsey's side defeated West Germany 4–2 at Wembley in a match etched into football folklore. Since then, England have promised much, but consistently fallen short with near misses and heartbreak becoming part of their narrative. Iconic moments, like Gary Lineker's Golden Boot in 1986, David Beckham's red card in 1998, and various penalty shootout woes, have shrouded the Three Lions in negativity since 1966.

In recent years however, England have re-emerged as genuine contenders, reaching the semi-finals in 2018 and the quarter-finals in 2022, alongside back-to-back European Championship finals. Armed with talented players and a harmonious squad, Thomas Tuchel has all the tools necessary to take England to the next level at next summers World Cup.

England's Squad Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

• Attacking threat: England boast one of the best frontlines in world football, with the likes of Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze, Marcus Rashford, and more. With Kane undoubtedly the focal point, Thomas Tuchel's biggest issues might be deciding where to fit them all in.
• Defensive organisation: Under Tuchel, England qualified with eight wins from eight and zero goals conceded, showing strong tactical discipline. Center-backs Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa have impressed, while John Stones adds experience when fit.
• Managerial experience: Thomas Tuchel's tactical acumen and tournament pedigree give England a strategic edge compared to previous campaigns. However, his lack of international experience will only be tested at the tournament.

Weaknesses

• Full-back uncertainty: Injuries and inconsistency plague options like Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold, while left-back remains unsettled with experiments involving younger players.
• Goalkeeper depth: Jordan Pickford is reliable but faces little competition: backups like Dean Henderson and Nick Pope lack big-tournament experience.
• Pressure & history: Despite talent, England haven't won a major trophy in 60 years, and psychological pressure remains a hurdle.

How to Buy World Cup 2026 Tickets for England

The World Cup is the pinnacle of professional football, and it only comes around every four years, so tickets are in high demand and notoriously tricky to get your hands on. In fact, our customer service team gets a lot of fans who ask: How can I book World Cup tickets for an England game? And it can be tricky. Let's walk you through all the steps so you can start thinking about booking your flights across the pond.

1. Select the match you want to attend and click 'View Tickets'.
2. Select the area you would like to sit within the stadium graphic on the right-hand side.
3. Select the number of tickets you would like to purchase.
4. Click on the green 'Buy' button.
5. Complete the order form using your personal details.
6. Don't forget to check that all your information has been input and is correct.
7. Click 'Make Payment'.
8. The tickets are now yours!

Ticket prices tend to vary depending on the seat category and match type, so do bear that in mind when selecting matches. Some games, mainly knockout matches or popular teams, can sell out incredibly quickly, so make sure you book early and are on high alert for when tickets come on sale!