World Cup 2022: What could England’s route to the final look like?

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The draw for World Cup 2022 has been made – so how can England win it?

World Cup 2022: What could England’s route to the final look like?
(Image credit: Getty)

With the World Cup 2022 draw complete, England now know what they have to do to win.

It's difficult to predict World Cups entirely, of course, but given that the pathways have been set for who should play who, we can map the likeliest opponents for the Three Lions, should they progress to the World Cup 2022 final. And after a semi-final in 2018, and a final at Euro 2020, working this out doesn't sound quite as ridiculous as it did once upon a time.

But it's not going to be easy…

WORK IT OUT YOURSELF World Cup 2022 wall chart: Free to download with full schedule and dates

World Cup 2022: If England finish top of their group

Kylian Mbappe, World Cup 2022 odds

(Image credit: Getty Images)

England are very lucky that they're in Group B. Qatar, the hosts, are the first side in Group A – and potentially the weakest of all top seeds. If England win their group, they'll have to face the second-placed side in Group A: assuming Netherlands are the strongest, that's going to be Ecuador, Senegal or Qatar.

After that, things get harder. One of France or Mexico are next up, one presumes, though Argentina could be in the quarter-final. If England reach the semi-finals, that's where the Netherlands could be faced. 

The final? That could be anyone on the other half of the draw. 

World Cup 2022: If England finish second in their group

Arsenal target Frenkie De Jong

(Image credit: Getty)

If England finish second in their group, as mentioned, it's likely that the Netherlands will be in the round of 16.

In the quarter-finals, Argentina and Denmark seem most likely, with France the obvious standout that could be waiting in the semi-finals. 

There's no easy route to the final, this time…

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FINAL TEAMS World Cup 2022: When will all qualified teams be confirmed?

Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.

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