Summer is here, and so is another hotly anticipated FIFA World Cup and all the thrills, spills, soaring highs and beer-soaked disappointments it brings.
We’ve already seen some truly memorable performances during the group stages of the 2026 World Cup (a Messi hattrick! Merlin the duck! World Cup debutants Cabo Verde holding Spain to a draw!) as well as one absolutely turgid 0-0 draw from the Three Lions.
Already, 48 teams have been whittled down to 32 (sorry Scotland!) and now it’s time for the knockouts. England fans will be hoping Thomas Tuchel’s boys can kick it up a notch for their Round of 32 fixture against DR Congo on Wednesday July 1, after a group stage that saw them finish in the top spot despite some slightly uninspiring performances.
And there are plenty more thrilling fixtures due to take place this week besides the England match, including Brazil vs Japan on Monday June 29, France vs Sweden on Tuesday June 30 and Portugal vs Croatia on Friday July 3.
Practically every pub and bar in London will be getting in on the action and vying for your attendance during the World Cup’s biggest games. However, we’ve whittled it down to the places that offer the best atmosphere and the best view of the screen, wherever you station yourself. Last year, England's manager Thomas Tuchel complained that fans were too ‘silent’: fingers crossed this summer's celebrations will prove him wrong.
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When is the next England World Cup match?
Having won their group, the Three Lions’ will take on third-place qualifiers DR Congo on Wednesday July 1 at 5pm BST. If they progress to the Round of 16, they will then face either Mexico or Ecuador on Monday July 6 at 1am. And if they get through to the quarter-finals, the next game will be against Brazil, Japan, the Ivory Coast or Norway on Saturday July 11 at 10pm.
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How can I watch England’s matches at home?
World Cup coverage is split between BBC Sport and ITV. England’s game against DR Congo will be broadcast on BBC One. Broadcast details for future games will be announced in due course.