England, where the modern game was codified, won the World Cup at home in 1966 and reached the 2018 semi-final and 2022 quarter-final. Expectation always travels with them.

Their road

Group game 1 · Wed 17 Jun

vs Croatia4–2 W

Group game 2 · Tue 23 Jun

vs Ghana0–0 D

Group game 3 · Sat 27 Jun

at Panama2–0 W

Round of 32 · Wed 1 Jul

vs Congo DR2–1 W

Round of 16 · Sun 5 Jul

at Mexico3–2 W

Quarter-final · Sat 11 Jul

at Norway2–1 W

Semi-final · Wed 15 Jul

vs Argentina1–2 L

Third-place play-off · Sat 18 Jul

at France6–4 W

Three group games are guaranteed; the knockout steps unlock as the team advances.