England's quest for a second World Cup title ended in a dramatic 4-6 defeat to Spain in the 2026 final on July 19. The tournament, which was the first to feature 48 teams, was hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
England currently sits first in their World Cup qualifying group with 7 points from three games, claiming a record of two wins and one draw. They hold a one-point lead over Croatia and have scored six goals while conceding just two. Jude Bellingham is the team's top scorer this season with seven goals in eight appearances. Their next major test is a home fixture against world champions Spain on September 26, a chance for immediate redemption.
The 2026 tournament was a historic expansion, moving from 32 to 48 national teams. This created a new first-round structure of 12 groups containing four teams each. After a round-robin stage, the top two teams from every group advanced to the knockout phase. They were joined by the eight best third-place finishers, determined by points, goal difference, goals scored, team conduct, and FIFA ranking. This meant 32 teams progressed from the initial group stage, leading to a total of 104 matches played over 39 days, a week longer than previous editions.
While Spain ultimately lifted the trophy, the tournament had its share of inspiring stories. The Cabo Verde national team, nicknamed the Blue Sharks, captured global attention. They remained unbeaten in a tough group, drawing with Spain and Uruguay and holding Saudi Arabia. Their remarkable run continued into the round of 32, where they pushed Argentina to the limit. Their 40-year-old goalkeeper, Vozinha, was a standout, making seven key saves against Spain and restricting Lionel Messi to just one goal from nine attempts in their knockout match.
For the first time, three countries jointly hosted the World Cup, with the majority of matches staged in the United States. Eleven U.S. Cities were used, including Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta. Mexico hosted games in Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey, making it the first nation to stage the men's tournament three times. Canada's host cities were Toronto and Vancouver. All three host nations automatically qualified for the tournament, taking three of the six allocated spots for the North American confederation.
The final draw for the expanded competition was held on December 5, 2025, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
Gareth Southgate's side must now refocus on qualifying for the next World Cup. Their strong start, with recent form reading four wins and one loss from their last five games, puts them in a commanding position. The team is on a two-game winning run, building momentum from their intense final performance. Key to their success has been Jude Bellingham's prolific scoring, which the squad will rely on heavily. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming schedule, including the key Spain rematch, on our fixtures and standings pages. The depth and current form shown in qualifying suggest England is already building a strong platform for the next cycle.
