With the 2022 World Cup group stage complete, the paths to the final for every team – including England – are now as clear as they have been so far.
The final 16 teams have learnt the side of the draw they are on and who they will face in the next round, with some sides naturally earning more advantageous draws than others.
Much was made of England’s favourable route to the 2018 final they never made and the Euro 2020 final, but things probably won’t be as easy this time around.
Sportsmail have had a look at England’s potential and likely route to the final of the World Cup they are going to have to conquer if they want to lift the Jules Rimet trophy for just the second time ever and the first time in 60 years.
Gareth Southgate’s England side have learnt their potential route to the World Cup final
England are unbeaten so far at the World Cup and are aiming to lift the trophy this month
Last 16 – Senegal
England’s last 16 fixture was confirmed on Tuesday when Groups A and B concluded, with a tie against Senegal for the first time ever on the cards.
Senegal came second in Group A earlier in the day, confirmed with a narrow 2-1 win over Ecuador, and it was the African side that were waiting to see who they would be taking on.
A Marcus Rashford brace and a strike from Phil Foden against Wales confirmed England topped Group B and set up the tie, scheduled for 7pm on Sunday at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Southgate’s side will face Senegal in the last 16 of the tournament on Sunday evening
The Three Lions have been training in preparation for the match since beating Wales this week
Quarter-final – France or Poland
England will find themselves in the quarter-final of a World Cup once again if they are to beat Senegal, and there they will take on France or Poland.
Many believed Gareth Southgate’s side would meet France before the tournament began and it seems likely things will end up that way.
It could have been France vs Argentina in the last 16, but it is Poland who will be tasked with knocking out the defending champions, who look good.
Defending champions France have been one of the most impressive teams so far in Qatar
They lost to Tunisia in their final group game but top spot was secured and manager Didier Deschamps rang the changes.
It is worth noting they weren’t in great form in the build-up to the tournament, narrowly avoiding relegation in the Nations League and suffering defeats to Croatia and Denmark in recent months.
But they look a well-oiled machine and it will be a huge task for England to defeat them out in Qatar.
Much has been made of the ability of Kylian Mbappe, who is the joint top scorer so far
Semi-final – Spain or Portugal
If England were to defeat both Senegal and France in the quarter-final of the tournament, they would likely face Spain or Portugal in the semis, which would be their third semi-final at a major tournament in a row.
Both are favourites to win their last 16 ties, against Morocco and Switzerland respectively, and they would then meet in somewhat of a derby in the last eight.
Either side would prove a tough task for the Three Lions, but, if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.
A game against Portugal would put Cristiano Ronaldo in the spotlight once again. He’s in the news for different reasons these days, but the wink of 2006 won’t be forgotten.
After that, it’s the big one.
Luis Enrique’s Spain side are well-coached and would provide a tricky test for England
A match against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal is possible in the semi-finals later this month
Final – Brazil or Argentina
Brazil and Argentina, arguably the two favourites going into the competition, have found themselves on the same side of the draw after both winning their groups.
Argentina were made to work for it, and haven’t been at their best so far in Qatar, but they have Lionel Messi, and that means anything is possible.
They’ll tackle the inspirational Australia in the last 16 before a clash against the Netherlands or USA, but they will feel confident of reaching the last four without too many issues – though any quarter-final would not be easy.
Lionel Messi, likely playing in his last World Cup, will have his sights set on lifting the trophy
Brazil, meanwhile, the world’s number one ranked side, will be extremely confident of reaching the last four. They should beat South Korea comfortably in the last 16, and must be aware of Croatia and the dangerous Japan in a potential last eight game, but they will already have one eye on their South American rivals.
Brazil have been arguably the best team in the competition so far and their squad depth is fantastic. It feels almost a shoe-in they will be in the final.
If England are holding the trophy on December 18, no one can argue they won’t have earned it this time.
Brazil have been arguably the best team so far in Qatar and are the world’s number one side
It’s currently unclear if Brazil’s star man Neymar will be fit to play again in the tournament
