The one story you will likely hear over and over again this summer is that it has been 60 long years for England. Sixty. Years. Yeah, England last won the World Cup in 1966 on home soil, and the entire national has been fining out on it and simultaneously tormented by it ever since. Every tournament cycle brings the same cycle: genuine optimism, tactical questions, and a dramatic exit usually involving penalties kicks.
But here’s the thing…this squad may actually be the one. Thomas Tuchel’s side makes the journey across the Atlantic as one of the favorites to go all the way, with world-class talents of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham central to the conversation. The players are elite. The group they were drawn into feels like a good warm up. The only thing standing in their way, may be England themselves.
Starting this summer, Dallas Stadium becomes one of the most watched venues on Earth, hosting some of the biggest nations in world football. But who are these teams? What’s their story? And which ones are actually worth showing up for?
That’s what this series is for.
Big D Soccer is breaking down every national team coming to North Texas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — their history, their best players, and our honest take on how far they’ll go. Consider it your cheat sheet for sounding smart at the watch party.
Why you need to watch
England is world football’s greatest ongoing drama series. One championship, decades ago. The entire nation has been processing that singular moment ever since. “Football’s coming home” is simultaneously the most optimistic and most heartbreaking chant in sports, because it gets louder every single tournament.
This England team is talented enough to win it all. Whether they will is the question that has haunted every England fan since 1966.
How they got here
England qualified as UEFA Group K winners, booking their spot last October. Tuchel’s side went through qualifying without any real drama. The squad announcement, however, was another story. Sky Sport’s chief correspondent described the squad as “probably the most shocking since 1998,” with both Phil Foden and Cole Palmer being left at home as eyebrow-raising omissions.
World Cup History
I’ve already said it but I’ll say it again. One title. Sixty years ago…and on home soil. England fans know this. Fans who casually tune in every four years to the World Cup know this. The Three Lions have delivered moments that have defined generations. Their recent track record has been a torture parade of near-misses. They got to the semifinals in 2018. They got to a Euro 2020 final that ended in a loss on penalties. And Qatar 2022 was an exit in the quarterfinals.
Players to Watch
🦁 Harry Kane — ST, Bayern Munich - Kane may be England’s greatest goal scorer in their history. He won the Golden Boot at Russia 2018 with six goals and he arrives in 2026 with unfinished business at every level, never to have won a major trophy. That hunger is either going to fuel something special or eat him alive. Either way, that is must-watch TV.
🦁 Jude Bellingham — Midfielder, Real Madrid - At just 20-years old, Bellingham is already a Champions League winner and a Ballon d’Or contender. He’s quickly becoming of the game’s best players and he is really only getting started. England will run everything through him. If he rises to the moment, so will England.
🦁 Bukayo Saka — Winger, Arsenal - After missing a crucial penalty at Euro 2020 as a teenager, Saka is hoping this tournament can be about redemption. He’s arguably one of the most complete wingers in the Premier League, if not the world.
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Kickoff (CT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ⭐ June 17 | 🇭🇷 vs. Croatia | Dallas Stadium — Arlington, TX | 3:00 PM |
| June 23 | 🇬🇭 vs. Ghana | Boston Stadium — Foxborough, MA | 3:00 PM |
| June 27 | 🇵🇦 vs. Panama | NY/NJ Stadium — East Rutherford, NJ | 4:00 PM |
Projected finish
Their group is their’s to lose. The knockout round is set up for them to make a deep run. Everything in between is really going to be on them to produce. If Bellingham steps up and has his World Cup moment, there is certainly a chance this could finally be the year. I think they’ll get close, but come up short yet again.
BDS Projected Finish: Semifinals
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