England moving on at World Cup but questions linger

England advanced to the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, winning Group L after a 2-0 victory over Panama on Saturday.

England will face the Democratic Republic of Congo on July 1st. Despite topping the group, lingering questions remain regarding their defensive vulnerability, sluggish first-half performances, and a lack of creative midfield spark. Fixing tactical inconsistencies and defensive frailties will be imperative to navigate the challenging knockout rounds, with a potential route that could feature Mexico and Brazil.