Sixty years of hurt, and Harry Kane knows exactly who's standing in the way of ending it. Asked point-blank which nations England need to fear at the 2026 World Cup, the captain didn't hesitate: France, Argentina, Brazil, Spain.
"You have to beat them at some stage," Kane said. "It's not just as simple as two teams playing against each other. I think there's a lot that goes into it."
That's not a dodge — it's a realistic read of the tournament landscape. Those four nations occupy the top tier of most sportsbooks, with Spain and France sitting as consensus favorites. England, Argentina, Brazil, and Portugal are clustered just behind. Kane's list and the oddsmakers' list are essentially the same list.
Tuchel's England look different — but the questions remain
What's changed since England's quarterfinal exit in 2022 is the manager. Thomas Tuchel replaced Gareth Southgate in January 2025, bringing a more aggressive tactical identity to a squad that already has the talent. Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and the emerging Nico O'Reilly give England a forward line capable of hurting anyone on their best day.
Kane won the Golden Boot in 2018 with six goals. He's never won the tournament. That tension — individual excellence, collective underachievement — has defined England's last two World Cup cycles.
Whether Tuchel can close that gap is the central question hanging over England's tournament. Historically, England raise expectations and then find a specific, painful way to fall short. The squad is arguably deeper than it's been in decades. The group stage shouldn't trouble them.
Group L and the road ahead
England's path opens on June 17 against Croatia — the same side that knocked them out in extra time in 2018's semifinal. That fixture carries obvious weight. Ghana and Panama follow on June 23 and June 27 respectively, making Group L winnable but not without edge.
- June 17: England vs Croatia
- June 23: England vs Ghana
- June 27: England vs Panama
The real tournament starts after that. Kane's right that you eventually have to beat the best teams. England have shown they can compete with them. They haven't yet shown they can beat them when it counts.
