England will open its 2026 World Cup campaign against Croatia in Dallas on 17 June, with the full group-stage schedule now set and three matches spread across three U.S. cities. For supporters searching the Tv Guide-style details that matter most, the key dates are clear: Ghana in Boston on 23 June and Panama in New York/New Jersey on 27 June.
The first match kicks off at 3pm local time in Dallas, which is 9pm BST on 17 June and 6am AEST on 18 June. England’s second game against Ghana starts at 4pm local time in Boston, while the meeting with Panama in New York/New Jersey is at 5pm local time, giving fans a staggered run of late-night or early-morning viewing depending on where they are in the world.
That schedule matters because England arrive with form that should have made the mood simpler. Thomas Tuchel’s side cruised through qualifying with eight wins from eight, scoring 22 goals and conceding none, and the manager has already talked about the scale of the task ahead. When he was unveiled in October 2024, Tuchel said the aim was “to try and put a second star on the shirt”. This week, though, he was blunter, saying England cannot be among the favourites because they have not won the World Cup for so long.
The squad choices underline that caution. Tuchel left out Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold, but included Ivan Toney, and England are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 system. Jude Bellingham may have a decisive role if he is in the mood, which is one reason his fit in the side is being watched so closely as Tuchel balances attacking talent against defensive concerns and fitness questions around key players.
There is also a wider reality behind the fixture list. Tuchel was appointed after Gareth Southgate’s near misses, won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and has since taken league titles with Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain. He recently extended his contract through Euro 2028, so this tournament is not a one-off examination; it is the biggest checkpoint in a longer project to end 60 years of hurt for England’s men’s team. The next confirmed step is straightforward: Croatia in Dallas on 17 June, and a run of three games that will tell supporters far more than qualifying ever could.
