England kick off World Cup bid in Dallas as 2026 schedule confirmed

England are set to launch their 2026 World Cup campaign versus Croatia in Dallas on 17 June, with the next showdown between Brazil and Scotland at the event scheduled for Miami, as revealed by FIFA on Saturday.

The intricate setup of the inaugural 48-team World Cup spanning North America required an additional day for FIFA to finalise venues and start times after the draw on Friday.

Under Thomas Tuchel, England, currently ranked fourth globally, will face Croatia at 3:00 pm local time in the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, near Dallas.

The teams will appreciate the venue's retractable roof, which ought to shield them from the intense midday heat.

England's other Group L games will shift to the north-eastern United States, including a match against Ghana in Boston on 23 June at 4:00 pm local time, followed by Panama at the MetLife Stadium near New York City on 27 June at 5:00 pm.

Spain, the reigning European champions, will handle their initial two Group H matches against newcomers Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia in the enclosed, climate-controlled Atlanta arena.

Afterwards, they will travel to Mexico to confront Uruguay in Guadalajara.

Defending champions Argentina will begin Group J against Algeria in Kansas City on 16 June, then take on Austria and Jordan in Dallas.

France, triumphant in 2018 and second in 2022, will contest all Group I fixtures in the north-eastern US, meeting Senegal at the MetLife Stadium and Norway in Boston, sandwiching a game in Philadelphia versus an intercontinental play-off victor.

Brazil, victors of the previous US-hosted World Cup in 1994, will start Group C against Morocco at the MetLife Stadium on 13 June.

Carlo Ancelotti's squad will then play Haiti in Philadelphia on 19 June, prior to facing Scotland in Miami on 24 June, marking their fifth World Cup clash.

Standout fixtures also feature Germany versus Caribbean underdogs Curacao in Houston for Group E on 14 June.

Co-host Mexico will kick things off against South Africa, echoing the 2010 opener, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on 11 June.

The showpiece final at MetLife Stadium on 19 July begins at 3:00 PM (1900 GMT).