England face daunting trek as World Cup 2026 schedule is finalised – and it’s not great news for Scotland fans back home

England and Scotland have now learned their full schedules for the 2026 World Cup.

All 42 nations who have already qualified learned which three teams they will play in the group stage during the draw on Friday night.

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England face Croatia, Ghana and Panama in Group L, whilst Scotland will battle Brazil, Morocco and Haiti in Group C.

FIFA have now revealed the dates and stadiums for all of the matches next summer, as fans prepare to book flights and accommodation.

England’s World Cup schedule

England will meet Croatia in their opening match on June 17 in what will be a rematch of their semi-final clash in 2018.

That game ended in a 2-1 extra-time victory for Croatia, though England have prevailed in their two meetings since.

They will fight for three points at Dallas Stadium at 9pm UK time.

Up next for Thomas Tuchel‘s men are Ghana at Boston Stadium on June 23, also at 9pm UK time.

The two sides have only ever faced each other once – a 1-1 friendly draw in March 2011 at Wembley Stadium.

England’s group campaign ends on June 27 against Panama with a visit to New York New Jersey Stadium 10pm UK time.

Just like against Croatia, England pitted their wits against Panama in Russia in 2018.

And they will be hoping history repeats itself after the Three Lions eased to a 6-1 victory, with Harry Kane helping himself to a hat-trick.

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Despite a lengthy cross-country trip across America, England have been handed kinder kick-off times.

But they know that their path to the final is anything but generous should all of their main rivals finish top of their respective groups.

If England win Group L, their last-32 match will take place in Atlanta at 5pm GMT, which could see them face Erling Haaland’s Norway.

Co-hosts Mexico may then be in store in the last-16 at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City at 1am UK time.

Five-time winners Brazil are potential quarter-final opponents at 10pm GMT in Miami, with a potential semi-final against holders Argentina to take place at 8pm GMT.

And should England get to the final, they would return to the New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, where they could face either Spain or France at 8pm GMT.

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Scotland’s World Cup schedule

While England have benefited from favourable UK times, those cheering on Scotland will be staying up later into the night.

Their opening group clash against Haiti will be at Boston Stadium on June 13, with the match scheduled for 2am UK time.

The match will be the Tartan Army’s first at a World Cup since 1998.

And it will be Haiti’s first World Cup since 1974, which was the first tournament they qualified for.

Morocco are Scotland’s second opponents in the group on June 19 at Boston Stadium again at 11pm UK time.

Scotland faced the African nation in their group in 1998, with Morocco easing to a 3-0 victory.

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It was only in the previous edition of the tournament that saw Morocco create history by becoming the first side from Africa to reach the semi-finals.

Scotland then face a huge test against Brazil on June 24 at Miami Stadium, once again at 11pm UK time.

Like Morocco, Scotland battled against the Selecao in France in 1998.

In what was their World Cup opener, they lost 2-1 against the eventual champions.

While Scotland failed to get out of the group in 1998, Steve Clarke’s men have shown in recent times that they can cause problems for anyone.

When could the Republic of Ireland play?

The Republic of Ireland are in Path D of the UEFA play-offs and face the Czech Republic in March.

Should they win and then beat either Denmark or North Macedonia in the final, they will play in Group A at the World Cup.

Ireland would face South Korea in their first match on June 11 at Estadio Guadalajara, with the kick-off coming at 3am for fans at home.

They would then meet South Africa at Atlanta Stadium on June 18, with kick-off coming at 5pm.

Co-hosts Mexico will be their final opponents on June 24 at Mexico City Stadium in another 2am kick-off for Irish fans watching at home.

Ireland would face the best third-placed team in Group C/E/F/H/I if they finished top, and Group B’s runner-up is they come second.

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When could Wales/Northern Ireland play?

Wales and Northern Ireland are also in the UEFA play-offs, and are both in Path A.

The former face Bosnia and Herzegovina and the latter meet Italy, and whoever wins in the final goes into Group B.

Co-hosts Canada would be their first opponents on June 12 at Toronto Stadium, with kick-off at 8pm UK time.

Then they travel to Los Angeles Stadium on June 18 to face Switzerland, with kick-off also set for 8pm UK time.

Qatar will be their final opponents at Seattle Stadium on June 24 in yet another 8pm UK time kick-off.

They could THEN meet Ireland If both finish second, but winning the group would see them face best third-placed team in Group E/F/G/I/J.