England World Cup 2026 betting guide: Odds, predictions, schedule
Sixty years of hurt. That’s what England fans have been suffering from since Bobby Moore famously lifted the iconic Jules Rimet Trophy at Wembley in 1966. Thomas Tuchel’s new-look squad arrives ranked fourth in the world, having qualified with a perfect 8-0-0 record and zero goals conceded. They have talent in abundance, but the question is whether or not they can finally do what it takes to win a major tournament.
England headline Group L and have some real competition in Croatia, the 11th-tanked team in the world who always seem to come up big in big moments. The other teams in the group are Ghana and Panama, relative minnows.
England World Cup 2026 storylines
How did England qualify?
England, as they always do, cruised through qualifying to secure their place at the 2026 World Cup. The Three Lions recorded eight wins from eight matches, scoring 22 goals with none conceded. The standout victories were the back-to-back 5-0 wins over first Serbia and then Latvia; with the win against the latter sending England to the tournament.
- The Squad Announcement: Since being appointed as England manager, Thomas Tuchel hasn’t been afraid to make big decisions when he believes it’s what’s best for the team. When announcing his squad for the World Cup, he omitted big names like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer, which created headlines.
- Prep Matches: Since qualifying in November, England have gone 1-1-1 versus sides also in the World Cup (Uruguay, Japan and New Zealand).
Past 5 Matches for England
| Opponent | Date | Result |
| Costa Rica | June 10 | 3-0 Win |
| New Zealand | June 6 | 1-0 Win |
| Japan | March 31 | 1-0 Loss |
| Uruguay | March 27 | 1-1 Draw |
| Albania | November 16 | 2-0 Win |
How to Bet on World Cup 2026
- Log in or register at ToonieBet.
- Navigate to the sports betting page or World Cup hub.
- Play futures and proops, build parlays or bet live
How to live bet World Cup 2026
- Log in or register at ToonieBet Ontario
- Navigate to the live sports page.
- Follow the match trackers, real-time odds and stats, and bet.
England’s 2026 World Cup odds
| To win the World Cup | +700 |
| To win Group J | -300 |
| To advance from Group J | N/A |
*Odds subject to change
Reality check: How far can England go?
England will be looking to win Group L, and the odds are in their favour. Croatia should pose the stiffest test, but their better players, such as Luka Modric, are on the decline. Ghana come into the tournament missing a key player in Mohammed Kudus, and Panama are weak in comparison to England. The Ghana and Panama games are must-wins. From the Round of 32 onwards, the Three Lions have the depth that will make them a force to be reckoned with.
5 key players for England at the World Cup
Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid, age 22
Arguably England’s most effective attacking midfielder. He’s not been as involved recently as he’d like, but he’s in the squad and will wear the No. 10 shirt.
Harry Kane, Bayern Munich, age 32
One of the best strikers in the world. His goal record is phenomenal and he won the 2018 Golden Boot. He will be hoping to fire England to glory.
Bukayo Saka, Arsenal, age 24
A consistent performer for England in recent times. The winger is now a Premier League champion and the Three Lions’ best creative outlet from the right, moving inside on his left foot.
Declan Rice, Arsenal, age 27
Like Saka, he became a Premier League winner with Arsenal this season. He plays a different role for England, screening the back four. He’s also one of the leaders on the field.
Jordan Pickford, Everton, age 32
He’s been England’s top choice as goalkeeper since 2018 and has never put a foot wrong forward. His shot-stopping ability is world class, and his distribution helps get England on the attack quickly.
England’s top players by position
- Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford – Experienced and reliable. England’s best keeper by far. His shot-stopping and ball distribution will be key.
- Defender: Marc Guehi – The Crystal Palace central defender has established himself as one of the first names in the starting lineup for England. His calmness under pressure helps those around him.
- Midfielder: Declan Rice – He can do it all. But it’s arguably his work off the ball and his mentality that make him the key man in England’s midfield.
- Forward: Harry Kane – Not only England’s best forward but one of the world’s best. He scores goals consistently for club and country.
Emerging talents for England
Kobbie Mainoo, Manchester United
After a difficult start to the season, Mainoo fought his way back into the reckoning at Manchester United and with England. The 21-year-old provides athleticism in midfield.
Nico O’Reilly, Manchester City
O’Reilly, 21, has been a revelation this season for Manchester City. He can play at left back and in midfield, and has a knack of popping up in the box to score important goals.
Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa
England have a surplus of attacking midfielders, but the most in form and the likely starter is Rogers. The 23-year-old has displayed great form for Aston Villa, scoring goals and creating opportunities for others.
England’s Group L schedule:
| Match | Date | Opponent | Location |
| Match 20 | June 17, 2026 | Croatia | Dallas |
| Match 50 | June 23, 2026 | Ghana | Boston |
| Match 76 | June 27, 2026 | Panama | New Jersey |
England vs. Group L opponents
England and Croatia have met 11 times, with the Three Lions owning a 6-2-3 edge. Their most recent meeting was a 1-0 win for England at Euro 2020.
There’s only been one meeting between England and Ghana. It was a friendly in 2011 that finished 1-1.
England and Panama have also met just once. It was at the 2018 World Cup, with England winning 6-1.
England’s manager
Thomas Tuchel, 52, was appointed in 2025. A proven winner at club level, he was brought in as Gareth Southgate’s replacement to give England the 5% they’ were missing to get over the line at a major tournament. Tuchel’s been a champion in Germany and won the Champions League with Chelsea, so he has the credentials.
The England kits
England’s home shirt is all-white, as expected, with navy and red accents on the collar, sleeves, and side seams. The away kit is Speed Red with navy shorts. It’s the first time England have paired red and navy. Nike makes both kits.
England’s World Cup history
- Appearances: 17
- Titles: 1 (1966)
- Finals: 1
- All-time World Cup Goals: 104
- All-time top scorer at the World Cup: Gary Lineker (10)
- Most World Cup appearances: Peter Shilton (17)
How did England do at the 2022 World Cup?
England reached the quarterfinals in Qatar but were eliminated by eventual runners-up France. They had won Group B and then defeated Senegal 3-0 in the Round of 16. They’ll be hoping for more at the 2026 World Cup.
Memorable matches for England at the World Cup
The 1966 final remains the defining moment for England. Geoff Hurst scored a hat-trick against West Germany, with the iconic “they think it’s all over, it is now” commentary immortalizing the moment. England losing on penalties in 1990 started a long and painful relationship with shootouts.
| Feature image courtesy AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth via the Canadian Press. Statistics via FBRef.com, ESPN.com and 11v11.com. |
England World Cup FAQ
1 What is England's FIFA World Ranking?
England are currently ranked 4th by FIFA.
2 How many times have England played in the World Cup?
Including 2026, England have played in 17 World Cups.
3 What is England's nickname, and what does it mean?
“The Three Lions” — Relates to the royal coat of arms of England.
4 Who is England's all-time leading scorer?
Harry Kane has 79 goals in 114 appearances for his country.
5 Who is England's top scorer at the World Cup?
Gary Lineker. He scored 10 goals across two tournaments.
6 Who has the most caps for the England men's national team?
Peter Shilton had 125 caps for his country.
7 Who has the most World Cup caps for England?
Peter Shilton made 17 appearances across three tournaments.
8 When will England play their first game at the World Cup 2026?
June 17, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET, against Croatia in Dallas.
The content is provided for general informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute betting advice, financial advice, or a recommendation to place any wager. Odds are subject to change. Sports wagering involves risk, and there is no guarantee of success or profit. For Ontario residents, participation in regulated online gaming is restricted to individuals 19 years of age or older. Please play responsibly. If gambling is no longer fun or may be causing harm, support is available through recognized gambling resources like ConnexOntario. Terms and conditions apply where applicable.
