Knockouts are here - what is England's path to the final?

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Knockouts are here - what is England's path to the final? Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, England drew with Ghana but beat Croatia and Panama to top Group L with seven pointsByDaniel AustinBBC Sport senior journalistPublished3 hours agoEngland have qualified for the knockout stages of the World Cup by winning their group. The Three Lions weren't always in top form, but with seven points from three matches, did enough to finish ahead of Croatia in second, third-placed Ghana, and bottom side Panama.

Now that the group stage has concluded, Thomas Tuchel's men know the path they must negotiate if they are to reach the final. If they manage it, it will be their third major tournament final of the decade. Who will England play in the last 32?

The Details

Wednesday, 1 July - 17:00 BSTEngland's reward for progressing to the knockout rounds is a tie in Atlanta with DR Congo, who finished third in Group K after drawing with Portugal, losing to Colombia, and beating Uzbekistan. The Leopards are ranked 46th in the world, conceded only three goals in those three group-stage fixtures, and boast significant Premier League experience in Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa, West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Burnley centre-back Axel Tuanzebe and Sunderland left-back Arthur Masuaku. They became the first team from Sub-Saharan Africa to qualify for the World Cup in 1974, under their former name Zaire, and in their second finals appearance, are now competing in the knockout stages for the first time.

They were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations by Algeria in the last 16 in January. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, DR Congo are one of nine African teams to reach the knockout stages, alongside Algeria, South Africa, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Cape Verde, Senegal and GhanaWho could England meet in the last 16? Monday, 6 July - 01:00 BST If England progress to the second knockout round, they could face co-hosts Mexico, one of only three teams to win all three of their group-stage fixtures.

They have been helped by playing all three of their matches on home soil, and the early knockout rounds will be the same - both their last-32 tie with Ecuador and the potential last-16 game against England will take place in Mexico City's 87,500-capacity Estadio Azteca. Mexico are ranked ninth in the world and have not lost a competitive fixture since a 2-0 defeat by Honduras in the first leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarter-final in November 2024 - a run of 12 matches unbeaten. Ecuador, meanwhile, finished third in Group E after securing a dramatic 2-1 win over Germany in the final round of matches.

They haven't conceded more than one goal in any match in over two years, a run stretching 26 games. The Azteca sits more than 7,000 feet above sea level, with that kind of altitude potentially causing shortness of breath, increased heart rate, and fatigue for players who are not used to it.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.