Who will England play in Round of 32? World Cup route, Panama TV details and Scotland question explained

Who will England play in round of 32? England are through to the World Cup knockout stage before a ball is kicked against Panama on Saturday, 27 June 2026, but Thomas Tuchel’s side still do not know their confirmed Round of 32 opponent. The final answer depends on England’s position in Group L after the 10pm BST fixture at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and on the wider third-place table across the expanded 48-team tournament. If England beat Panama and win the group, they are expected to move into a Round of 32 tie against a third-placed qualifier, with Senegal and DR Congo among the current possible names, reported The WP Times.

England’s place in the knockouts was confirmed before their final Group L match after results in other groups made their four-point total safe. Uruguay’s defeat to Spain and Cape Verde’s draw with Saudi Arabia meant England could no longer be pushed outside the qualifying places, even in the worst-case third-place scenario. That changed the meaning of Panama v England: the match is no longer about whether England survive the group stage, but whether they control their route, protect top spot and avoid a more difficult knockout draw. The key question for supporters searching who could England play in round of 32 remains conditional because the bracket is not fully locked. England’s opponent depends first on whether they finish first, second or third in Group L, then on which teams qualify as the best third-placed sides. A win over Panama should keep England on the group-winner path; a draw or defeat could leave them waiting on Ghana v Croatia and push Tuchel’s side into a more complicated World Cup knockout stage route.

Who could England play in Round of 32 if England win Group L

If England beat Panama and finish top of Group L, they are expected to face a third-placed team in Atlanta on Wednesday, 1 July. At the time of writing, Senegal and DR Congo are among the names most strongly linked with that route, but neither should be written as England’s confirmed opponent before the relevant group games and third-place calculations are complete.

This is the important detail in the world cup knockout stage format. The 2026 World Cup has 12 groups of four teams. The top two teams from each group qualify automatically, and the eight best third-placed teams also enter the Round of 32. That means a group winner can still wait for a confirmed opponent until other groups finish. For England, winning Group L is still the cleanest route. It should give Tuchel’s side a more controlled knockout path, clearer preparation and a likely tie against a third-placed qualifier rather than a group runner-up. But the final answer to who will England play if they win the group cannot be made official until the bracket is locked.

England Round of 32 scenarios before Panama

Why England are already through to the World Cup knockout stage

England are already through because their four-point total is enough to guarantee at least a place among the best third-placed teams. The decisive movement came from other groups. Uruguay’s defeat to Spain left Uruguay unable to overtake England, while Cape Verde’s result against Saudi Arabia also helped settle the third-place picture.

That is why England can go into the Panama game knowing their tournament will continue. The danger has shifted from elimination to route damage. A poor result could still cost England first place in Group L and move them into a harder Round of 32 slot. This is one of the major consequences of the new 48-team format. In older World Cups, England would simply be fighting for first or second in the group. In 2026, third-place rankings matter, and that makes the knockout picture more fluid until the final group matches are completed.

England v Panama is still important despite qualification

England v Panama still matters because England need to win the group. Tuchel’s side opened with a 4-2 win over Croatia, then drew 0-0 with Ghana. That leaves England in a strong position, but not in a position where the final game can be treated as meaningless. Panama are already eliminated after narrow defeats to Ghana and Croatia, but they are not being treated as an easy opponent. They have kept matches tight, defended in numbers and limited chances. That matters because England also struggled to break down Ghana when the game became compact and slow. For England, the ideal night is simple: score early, control the match, protect key players and finish top of Group L. Anything else keeps the parallel Ghana v Croatia match relevant and makes the Round of 32 route less predictable.

Panama v England: how to watch in London and across the UK

Panama v England takes place on Saturday, 27 June 2026, with kick-off at 10pm BST. The match is being played at the New York New Jersey Stadium, also known as MetLife Stadium, in New Jersey. In the UK, viewers can watch the game live on ITV1, with streaming available on ITVX. In Scotland, coverage is also available through STV and STV Player.

For supporters watching in London, the 10pm kick-off means pubs and sports bars are likely to be busy. Fans should check whether the venue is showing the match with sound, whether booking is required and what the last-entry time is. Central London, London Bridge, Shoreditch, Soho, Camden and football-focused local pubs are likely to be popular, but booking ahead is the safest option. Because the game starts late, London fans should also check return transport before choosing where to watch. Some pubs may show the full match but close quickly after full-time, so it is worth checking opening hours as well as screen availability.

Quick guide: Panama v England viewing details

Are Scotland out of the World Cup

Are Scotland out of the World Cup? Scotland are not officially out at the time of writing, but their chances of reaching the Round of 32 are extremely slim. Steve Clarke’s side finished third in Group C with three points after beating Haiti 1-0, losing 1-0 to Morocco and then losing 3-0 to Brazil. Their record is three points, a -3 goal difference and only one goal scored.

That is a weak third-place profile in the new format. Only the best eight third-placed teams from the 12 groups go through, and Scotland are currently outside the safe zone. They need several remaining results in other groups to fall in their favour, including outcomes involving teams such as Algeria, DR Congo, Croatia and others in the third-place table.

The simple answer is this: Scotland are not safely through, and they are very close to elimination. They can still be mathematically alive depending on the timing of remaining fixtures, but the situation is no longer in their hands. For England readers, Scotland’s position also matters because some knockout routes could theoretically have affected future bracket possibilities, but Scotland are not currently a strong candidate to reach the last 32.

Scotland World Cup situation in brief

Why the Scotland question matters to England’s route

The Scotland question matters because the 2026 bracket is shaped by third-place qualifiers. In the expanded system, teams do not simply move into a traditional last-16 bracket. The Round of 32 includes third-placed teams from different groups, and the exact combination affects which group winners face which third-placed sides. That is why supporters are asking both who will England play in round of 32 and are Scotland out of the World Cup?at the same time. Scotland’s status is part of the wider third-place table, even if they are not currently England’s most likely opponent.

At present, England’s most discussed group-winner route points towards a third-placed team such as Senegal or DR Congo. Scotland’s poor goal difference and low goals-scored total make their qualification much harder. Unless several results go exactly their way, Scotland’s campaign is likely to end at the group stage.

Who are Panama and why Tuchel is taking them seriously

Panama are the underdogs in Group L, but England are not treating them as a ceremonial final opponent. They have lost their first two games 1-0 and have not scored, but they have also avoided heavy defeats. Their matches have been narrow, disciplined and awkward.Manager Thomas Christiansen has built a team that can sit deep, protect central space and make opponents work for clear chances. That is the type of match England must solve before the knockout stage. If England move the ball too slowly or become too narrow, Panama can frustrate them for long periods.

Tuchel has warned that Panama can play without pressure. That is important because eliminated teams can sometimes be dangerous final group opponents. They have nothing to protect in the table, but they still have pride, visibility and a chance to disrupt England’s route.

England team news before Panama

Reece James will miss England v Panama with a minor hamstring injury. He is also a doubt for the Round of 32, although England hope he can return later in the tournament. His absence creates a right-back issue for Tuchel, who must decide how to balance defensive security and attacking width. Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson have returned to full training after minor issues following the Ghana match. Rice’s yellow-card situation may still affect selection because England must think about suspension risk before the knockout stage. Bukayo Saka is available and ready to start, while Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke are also competing for wide roles. England need more sharpness than they showed against Ghana, and Panama gives Tuchel one final group-stage chance to improve rhythm before knockout football.

England selection questions before Panama

What Thomas Tuchel said before Panama

Tuchel has tried to keep England focused on performance rather than speculation. He said England are ready to compete at any level and are not scared of potential knockout opponents. The message was clear: England cannot control every bracket detail, but they can control their own result against Panama. On Panama, Tuchel was cautious. He described them as a difficult team to break down, with a clear identity and the ability to defend deep. He also pointed to their ability to press goal-kicks and play as underdogs without the same pressure England carry. On the new World Cup format, Tuchel said teams knew the structure before the tournament and had to adapt. For England, that means managing qualification, injuries, rotation and route control at the same time.

What England need to do to win Group L

England need to beat Panama with control. A fast start would reduce pressure, limit the importance of the Ghana v Croatia scoreline and allow Tuchel to manage minutes late in the game. A slow start would invite tension and keep England’s group position less secure.Width will be vital. Panama are likely to defend central areas, so England need quick switches of play and direct runners. If Kane drops into midfield, the wide forwards and midfield runners must attack the spaces he creates.

Set pieces could also be decisive. Against compact teams, corners and free-kicks are often a major route to goal. England have enough height and delivery quality to make dead-ball situations a serious part of the game plan.

Ghana v Croatia and why it affects England

Ghana v Croatia is being played at the same time as Panama v England, and it can still affect who wins Group L. Ghana are close enough to England in the table to make goal difference relevant if results swing their way. If England win, Ghana would need a significant result to challenge top spot. If England draw or lose, Ghana’s result becomes more important. Croatia can also affect the final group picture, especially if they beat Ghana and change the points balance.

That is why England cannot simply rest everyone. Qualification is secure, but the group is not finished. The difference between first, second and third could change the Round of 32 opponent, venue and route.

BBC World Cup knockout stage context

The bbc world cup knockout stage picture is important because this format is new for many fans. Instead of moving straight from the group stage to the last 16, the 2026 World Cup has an extra knockout round. That means England must win a Round of 32 tie before reaching the last 16. The practical point is simple: England’s opponent is not official until three things are settled. First, England’s final Group L position. Second, the final third-place table. Third, the FIFA bracket allocation.

For readers, the safe update after full-time is to check England’s group position first. Then check the third-place qualifiers. Only then can the Round of 32 opponent be treated as confirmed.

FAQ: England Round of 32 and Scotland World Cup situation

Who will England play in round of 32?

England’s Round of 32 opponent is not confirmed yet. If England win Group L, they are expected to face a third-placed qualifier, with Senegal or DR Congo among the current possible opponents.

Who could England play in round of 32?

England could face a third-placed team if they finish top of Group L. If they finish second or third, the route changes and could become more difficult.

Who will England play if they win the group?

If England win the group, they are expected to play in Atlanta on Wednesday, 1 July, against a third-placed qualifier from the relevant bracket pool.

Are Scotland out of the World Cup?

Scotland are not officially out at the time of writing, but they are on the brink. They finished third in Group C with three points, a -3 goal difference and only one goal scored, leaving them dependent on several other results.

What is the World Cup knockout stage format?

The top two teams from each of the 12 groups qualify, along with the eight best third-placed teams. That creates a Round of 32 before the last 16.

Where can I watch England v Panama in the UK?

Panama v England is live on ITV1 and ITVX at 10pm BST on Saturday, 27 June 2026. In Scotland, it is also available on STV and STV Player.

Background: how England reached this point

England reached this point with one strong win and one frustrating draw. The 4-2 win over Croatia showed their attacking potential, with Kane scoring twice and England making an early statement in Group L. The 0-0 draw with Ghana was more difficult and raised questions about chance creation against compact teams. Uruguay’s exit then confirmed England’s place in the Round of 32 before the Panama match. Spain’s win over Uruguay and Cape Verde’s draw with Saudi Arabia helped guarantee that England’s four points would be enough under the best-third-place system.

The Panama match now decides the route, not survival. A win should keep England in the group-winner path and leave them waiting for a third-placed opponent. A draw or defeat could move them into a more complicated bracket and make the Round of 32 question harder after full-time.

Background: England, Panama and Scotland in the wider picture

England and Panama have World Cup history after England’s 6-1 win in 2018, but the 2026 match has a different meaning. Panama are playing for pride after elimination, while England are playing for group control before the knockout stage. Scotland’s position is a separate but connected part of the same expanded format. They finished third in Group C and now depend on the third-place ranking. Their low goal difference and low goals scored have left them in a fragile position.

The wider picture is the new World Cup structure. More teams qualify, more third-place calculations matter and more supporters are left waiting for confirmation. That is why England’s opponent, Scotland’s status and the final Round of 32 bracket all remain linked until the last group-stage results are complete.

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