England are in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2018. The 3-2 win over Mexico at the Azteca — with ten men for the final thirty minutes — was one of the most dramatic results in the country's football history. Now, with the dust settling and Norway waiting in Miami on Saturday July 11, the question everyone is asking is: can this team actually win it?
Quarter-Final: Norway (July 11, Miami)
This is the most difficult draw England could have faced. Norway have Erling Haaland, who has scored seven goals in five games and is operating at a level of terrifying consistency. His two late goals against Brazil were the kind of moments that define tournaments. England's central defenders will need to be at their absolute best, and they will need to protect their shape in a way they did not always manage against Mexico.
The saving grace is that Norway, beyond Haaland, carry less threat than France, Spain or Argentina. If England can control possession in the wide areas and limit Norway to central attacks, they reduce the service to Haaland and make the game manageable. It will be the defining tactical challenge of Tuchel's time as England manager — and the Azteca showed this squad has the resilience to cope when things get difficult.
Potential Semi-Final: France or Morocco
If England get past Norway, the semi-final on July 14 would likely be against France or Morocco. France are the most complete team in the tournament and have Kylian Mbappé playing some of the finest football of his career. Morocco are unbeaten in 34 matches and have the defensive organisation to make life very difficult for any side in the world. Neither is a comfortable draw.
France would be the tougher assignment. They control matches, they have quality from front to back, and they have already shown the ability to win from difficult positions. But England have not beaten France at a World Cup before — which makes it simultaneously a daunting prospect and an opportunity to make history.
The Final
The World Cup final is on July 19 in New York. England have never won a World Cup outside of 1966. Sixty years on, on foreign soil, after a tournament in which they have already produced one extraordinary performance, the possibility is there. It would require beating Norway, then France or Morocco, then whichever team emerges from the other half of the bracket. It is achievable. It will take every ounce of what this squad has.
England's route: QF vs Norway (July 11, Miami) | SF vs France/Morocco winner (July 14) | Final (July 19, New York) | 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted by USA, Canada, Mexico
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