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England approach World Cup knockouts with plenty o...
Key takeaways
- England have been in the United States for almost a month, but in one sense they are yet to truly arrive.
- Topping the group is never to be taken for granted at a FIFA World Cup, but many took it as read from the moment the draw for 2026 threw them together with Croatia, Ghana and Panama.
- There have been flickers of it, most obviously in the opening 4-2 win against Croatia.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
England have been in the United States for almost a month, but in one sense they are yet to truly arrive.
Topping the group is never to be taken for granted at a FIFA World Cup, but many took it as read from the moment the draw for 2026 threw them together with Croatia, Ghana and Panama. That is a legacy of the progress made under previous coach Gareth Southgate.
The change from Southgate to Thomas Tuchel was triggered by a desire to see England maximise their individual talent in an authoritative show of collective power, under an elite manager capable of affecting the biggest matches of all.
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