The Three Lions’ Gauntlet: England National Team Schedule 2026 - World Cup, Nations League & Lionesses' Qualifiers

The 2026 football calendar is already shaping up to be one of the most demanding and exciting in recent memory for the England National Team. As of the current date, December 15, 2025, the focus for Gareth Southgate’s men, the Three Lions, is firmly on the expanded FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, where their group stage opponents have been officially confirmed. The women’s senior team, the reigning European champions, the Lionesses, also face a crucial 2026 schedule as they navigate the rigorous European Qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The following deep-dive details the confirmed and scheduled fixtures for both the men's and women's senior squads in 2026, providing fans with a complete, up-to-the-minute guide to the major tournaments, key opponents, and all-important dates on the international football calendar. This is the definitive schedule for every England supporter to mark in their diaries.

The Men's Senior Squad: Confirmed 2026 FIFA World Cup Group Stage

The biggest event of 2026 for the England men's team is undoubtedly the FIFA World Cup, which has expanded to 48 teams. The tournament structure and the draw have set up a fascinating group stage, with the Three Lions facing a challenging but navigable path to the knockout rounds. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

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World Cup Group L: Opponents and Key Dates

Following the official draw, England was placed in Group L, setting up a highly-anticipated rematch and two intriguing clashes against opponents from the African and CONCACAF regions. The group stage fixtures are spread across the United States.

• Opponent 1: Croatia - The most familiar and arguably the toughest opponent in the group, this match is a rematch of the 2018 World Cup semi-final, adding a significant layer of rivalry and historical context.
• Opponent 2: Ghana - A strong team from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Ghana brings pace, physicality, and a passionate fanbase, ensuring this will be a high-stakes encounter.
• Opponent 3: Panama - Representing CONCACAF, Panama is the underdog in the group but will be looking to cause an upset on North American soil. England previously defeated Panama 6-1 in the 2018 World Cup.

While specific kick-off times are subject to final confirmation, the venue and dates for England's group matches are scheduled as follows:

Advancing from Group L would see England progress to the Round of 32, a new stage in the expanded tournament format, with those fixtures taking place in early July 2026.

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The Road to the World Cup: European Qualifiers and Friendlies

Before the summer spectacle, the Three Lions have a packed schedule of European Qualifiers and warm-up friendlies in the early months of 2026. These matches are crucial for maintaining momentum and providing opportunities for manager Gareth Southgate to fine-tune his squad and tactics.

2026 World Cup European Qualifiers Group

England’s path through the European Qualifiers was set with a favourable draw, placing them in a group with several familiar European entities. The team will be aiming for a top-spot finish to secure automatic qualification for the World Cup.

• Confirmed Group Opponents: Serbia, Albania, Latvia, and Andorra.

While the majority of the qualifying campaign will have been played in 2025, the final decisive matches will take place in 2026, including potential late-stage fixtures that could determine the group winner. The high-profile match against Serbia and the away trip to Albania are considered the toughest tests in this group.

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Scheduled International Friendlies

To prepare for the intensity of the World Cup, the England team has scheduled high-profile friendlies against international opponents. These matches are vital for player cohesion and testing different formations.

• Friday, March 27, 2026: England vs. Uruguay at Wembley Stadium. This South American opponent provides a different tactical challenge compared to their European and World Cup group rivals.

The Lionesses’ Challenge: 2027 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers

The England Women’s National Team, the Lionesses, have a challenging 2026 ahead as they compete in the inaugural season of the new format for the European Qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The new structure, which mirrors the men's UEFA Nations League, ensures a higher frequency of competitive matches against top-tier opposition.

European Qualifiers League A, Group 3 Fixtures

The Lionesses were drawn into League A, Group 3, a formidable group that includes the reigning Women’s World Cup champions, Spain. This group guarantees high-quality, competitive football throughout the year.

The matches against Spain are particularly significant, as the two nations have developed an intense rivalry in recent years, including major tournament finals. Only the top team in the group will secure automatic qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, making every point vital.

Autumn Showdown: The 2026/27 UEFA Nations League

Following the excitement of the World Cup, the men's team will immediately turn their attention to the start of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League campaign in the autumn. England is confirmed to be in League A, the top tier of the competition, which guarantees clashes against Europe's elite.

League A Opponents and Schedule

The official draw for the 2026/27 Nations League groups will determine England’s exact opponents, but they will be drawn from the pool of other League A teams, which includes heavyweights such as Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, France, and Germany. This ensures a challenging set of fixtures in the second half of the year.

• League Phase Dates: The group stage matches will take place across two primary international windows:
  • September 23 – October 5, 2026 (Multiple fixtures)
  • October 28 – November 17, 2026 (Multiple fixtures)

The Nations League is a high-priority competition, offering a direct path to the finals tournament (scheduled for 2027) and a potential seeding advantage for future European Championship qualifying draws. The intense schedule of four matches in the September/October window means squad rotation and tactical depth will be paramount for manager Southgate and his coaching staff.

Topical Authority and Key Entities for 2026

The 2026 schedule features numerous key entities and tournaments that will define the year for English football:

• Tournaments: FIFA World Cup 2026, 2026/27 UEFA Nations League, 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup European Qualifiers.
• Men's Opponents: Croatia, Ghana, Panama, Uruguay, Serbia, Albania, Latvia, Andorra.
• Women's Opponents: Spain, Ukraine.
• Venues: Wembley Stadium, AT&T Stadium (Texas), Gillette Stadium (Massachusetts), MetLife Stadium (New Jersey).
• Governing Bodies: The Football Association (FA), FIFA, UEFA, CONCACAF, CAF.
• Key Figures: Gareth Southgate (Men's Manager), Sarina Wiegman (Women's Manager).
• LSI Keywords: Three Lions, Lionesses, Group of Death, European Qualifiers, Round of 32, Nations League Finals, International Football.

The year 2026 promises a relentless schedule of competitive football for both the men's and women's England teams. From the World Cup Group L battles against Croatia, Panama, and Ghana to the Lionesses' crucial qualifiers against Spain, the calendar is packed with must-watch fixtures that will shape the future of English international football.