England arrive at the Meadowlands with the simplest of equations: avoid defeat against a Panama side already heading home, and Thomas Tuchel’s team will almost certainly top Group L.
The Three Lions sit on four points after a 4-2 win over Croatia and a goalless draw with Ghana, level but ahead on goal difference. With Ghana playing Croatia in the parallel fixture, the final matchday becomes a shootout for first place — and the kinder route through the new Round of 32 is England’s to lose.
Panama, by contrast, have only pride to play for. Thomas Christiansen’s side lost 1-0 to Ghana and 1-0 to Croatia, exiting the tournament without a goal to their name.
The build-up has been dominated by England’s fitness worries. Tino Livramento was ruled out of the entire competition with a calf injury, forcing Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah into the squad, while Bukayo Saka, nursing Achilles tendinitis, and Marcus Rashford, managing hamstring discomfort, have both been handled carefully off the bench. Christiansen, for his part, has been able to call on a largely settled group with no fresh absences of note.
When does Panama vs England kick off and where to watch it?
The match takes place on Saturday 27 June 2026, with kick-off at 10pm BST — a prime Saturday. ITV holds the rights to this fixture and will show it live on ITV1, with free streaming via ITVX. Every match of the tournament is available free-to-air across BBC and ITV, so no subscription is required; Scottish viewers can also tune in through STV and STV Player.
The stadium
MetLife Stadium — operating as New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament — sits in East Rutherford, New Jersey, around five miles west of Manhattan. With a capacity of 82,500, it is the largest venue at the World Cup and will host the final on 19 July. Expect a vast, electric stage already braced for the tournament’s biggest night.
Possible line-ups
Panama (4-2-3-1): Mosquera; Murillo, Córdoba, Escobar, Davis; Godoy, Carrasquilla; Bárcenas, Harvey, Díaz; Waterman
England (4-3-3): Pickford; James, Konsa, Guéhi, Burn; Rice, Mainoo, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Rashford
Other things to do in London:
22 July 2026 10:00 + more dates
23 July 2026 15:30 + more dates
31 July 2026 18:00 + more dates
