When are England World Cup games? World Cup 2022 fixture dates and UK times plus route to the final

Gareth Southgate’s side have been handed an intriguing group stage draw as they take their place alongside the USA, Iran and either Ukraine, Scotland or Wales.

But how could the tournament pan out for the Three Lions?

When will England’s group stage games take place?

England won’t have long to wait to get started in Qatar as they open up with a game against Iran on the opening day of the tournament.

That fixture takes place on Monday 21st November following Qatar’s Group A clash with Ecuador - although kick-off times and venues for all games are yet to be confirmed.

England’s second sees them face the USA on Friday 25th November before they round off their group stage games against either Scotland, Ukraine or Wales on Tuesday 29th November.

Who could England play in the first knockout stage of the competition?

Whether they finish top or second in their group, Gareth Southgate’s men know they will face Group A opposition in the last 16.

That would mean a meeting with Senegal, Ecuador, the Netherlands or hosts Qatar.

Winning Group B would see England face the runners-up in the group containing that quarter, with the reverse fixture occurring if the Three Lions finish their ground stage campaign in second place.

What could lie beyond the Round of 16 for England?

Firstly, it should be said Gareth Southgate will not even look beyond England’s group stage opponents - but we can do that in the interests of planning our November and December.

England’s quarter-final opponents will come from a tie between the winner of Group D and Group C’s runner-up. That could mean a last-eight clash with France or Lionel Messi’s Argentina.

Finishing second in their group and facing the winners of Group A would mean Southgate and his players could again face Argentina or a dark horse like Poland or Denmark.

What about in the semi-final?

Now are are getting carried away! Although nothing can be assumed - and history tells us that! - the winners of Groups F and H seem the most likely to provide England’s semi-final opponents IF Gareth Southgate’s men can match their performance at the last World Cup.

That would possibly mean the likes of Belgium or Portugal standing in England’s way as they look to reach only a second ever World Cup Final.

Taking the alternative route by finishing second could land England a last-four meeting with former winners Spain, Germany or Brazil.

And that just leaves the final...

The tournament comes to a close on Sunday 18th December and England could face Spain, Germany or Brazil if they were head on the path set by winning Group B, or France, Belgium or Portugal if they were runners-up.

Kick-off times for the tournament

Kick-off times have not actually been designated as yet - but the first two rounds of group stages games get underway at 10am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm BST.

The final round of group games and all knockout stage matches kick-off at 3pm and 7pm BST and the final has been scheduled to get underway at 3pm BST.