England will open their World Cup journey against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday, June 17, with the match scheduled for 9pm BST. The fixture marks Thomas Tuchel’s first major-tournament game in charge of the Three Lions, with the manager aiming to guide England deep into a competition they have not won since 1966.

The second match sees England head to Boston for a clash with Ghana on Tuesday, June 23, also kicking off at 9pm BST. Tuchel’s side will then close out Group L against Panama on Saturday, June 27, in New York, where kick-off is set for 10pm BST.

Should England top the group, they could face a challenging route through the knockout rounds, with potential encounters against co-hosts Mexico, South American giants Brazil and Argentina, and possibly a final showdown with either France or Spain—both considered major contenders.

Reflecting on the draw, Tuchel emphasised caution despite England’s status as top seeds.

“We have Croatia and Ghana, two regulars at World Cups, and we have Panama,” Tuchel said. “Nobody should be underestimated. Croatia is obviously a standout opponent, and it’s a tough opening match. Our first objective is simple: escape the group and win it.”

For Scotland, the tournament marks their first appearance since France 1998, and Steve Clarke’s squad will begin their campaign with a midnight UK-time opener against Haiti in Boston on Sunday, June 14 at 2am BST.

Their second match sees them remain in Boston to meet Morocco on Thursday, June 18, with kick-off set for 11pm BST. Scotland will then travel south to Miami for a blockbuster match against Brazil on Wednesday, June 24, also at 11pm BST.

Drawn from Pot 3, Scotland faces a challenging task to secure a top-two finishes. However, the expanded format means the eight best third-placed teams will also progress to the knockout round, providing additional hope.

Clarke noted his relief at avoiding any European opponents, saying the draw “feels like a proper World Cup” due to the range of opponents.

“It’s three teams from three different continents, and that’s what makes the tournament special,” said the Scotland manager. “It’s also quite something to face two sides we met back in 1998. Football has a funny way of repeating its stories.”

Confirmed Group-Stage Fixtures

England

·       Wed, June 17 – England vs Croatia, Dallas, 9pm BST

·       Tue, June 23 – England vs Ghana, Boston, 9pm BST

·       Sat, June 27 – England vs Panama, New York, 10pm BST

Scotland

·       Sun, June 14 – Scotland vs Haiti, Boston, 2am BST

·       Thu, June 18 – Scotland vs Morocco, Boston, 11pm BST

·       Wed, June 24 – Scotland vs Brazil, Miami, 11pm BST

With the fixture calendar now confirmed, preparations intensify for a tournament expected to be the largest and most watched World Cup ever. Both England and Scotland face tricky paths, but anticipation is already building among supporters eager for a summer of high-stakes football across North America.