England will head into the 2026 FIFA World Cup eager to prove they deserve to still be classed as one of the best footballing nations in the world.
The Three Lions are ranked by Spreadex as one of the betting favourites to win the World Cup this summer, despite their failure to lift the trophy since 1966.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have also been tipped to be one of the top scoring teams this summer, with only Spain and Brazil ahead of them in the betting.
While odds of 15/2 suggest that England should make a deep run in North America, punters may feel that they are a risky betting proposition.
Read on as we look at England’s previous record in World Cup tournaments, before assessing their chances of emerging victorious this summer.
England at the FIFA World Cup
|
Year |
Round |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
|
1930 |
Not a FIFA member |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1934 |
Not a FIFA member |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1938 |
Not a FIFA member |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1950 |
Group stage |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
1954 |
Quarter-finals |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
8 |
|
1958 |
Group stage |
4 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
5 |
|
1962 |
Quarter-finals |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
6 |
|
1966 |
Champions |
6 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
11 |
3 |
|
1970 |
Quarter-finals |
4 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
|
1974 |
Did not qualify |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1978 |
Did not qualify |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1982 |
Second group stage |
5 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
6 |
1 |
|
1986 |
Quarter-finals |
5 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
7 |
3 |
|
1990 |
Fourth place |
7 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
8 |
6 |
|
1994 |
Did not qualify |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1998 |
Round of 16 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
4 |
|
2002 |
Quarter-finals |
5 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
3 |
|
2006 |
Quarter-finals |
5 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
6 |
2 |
|
2010 |
Round of 16 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
|
2014 |
Group stage |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|
2018 |
Fourth place |
7 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
12 |
8 |
|
2022 |
Quarter-finals |
5 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
13 |
4 |
England desperate to banish end 60-year title drought
England’s success on home soil in 1966 was the only time they have won a major international tournament.
Their overall record at the World Cup beyond that success is underwhelming given that they are touted as a leading footballing nation.
The Three Lions finished fourth in 1990 and 2018, but have never been beyond the quarter-finals in their other 13 appearances in the tournament.
By contrast, Brazil (5), Italy (4), Germany (4), France (3), Argentina (3) and Uruguay (2) have each lifted the trophy more than once.
Spain are the only other nation to have won the World Cup and will head into this summer’s tournament as the favourites to add another title to their tally.
Their performances on their way to winning the 2024 European Championship highlighted why many people believe they will follow up at the World Cup.
By contrast, despite reaching the final, England didn’t impress during the tournament and were outclassed by Spain in the decisive game.
England won all eight World Cup qualifiers without conceding a goal, but poor performances in recent friendlies against Uruguay and Japan have dampened enthusiasm about their chances this summer.
Star striker Harry Kane will be tasked with leading the line for England, and he will be integral to their hopes of emerging victorious.
Kane recently won his second consecutive Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich and will be desperate to add international silverware to his trophy cabinet.
While England have several players who are in excellent for their clubs, the squad also has a significant proportion of players with question marks hanging over them.
They include Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, who once again looks like he will be part of a team which will come up short in the Premier League title race.
The Arsenal star will be partnered by Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson this summer in a pairing which is functional rather than creative.
Tuchel appears to be reluctant to build his midfield around Adam Wharton, who has been a standout performer for Crystal Palace this season.
Wharton’s eye for a pass puts the rest of England’s midfielders to shame, yet Tuchel seems to be fixated with what he doesn’t bring to the table in terms of physicality.
That mindset is one which has hindered England at previous major tournaments and will probably scupper their hopes of lifting the trophy this summer.
While England are the bookmakers’ favourites to top their group, it would be foolish to think the outcome is a foregone conclusion.
Croatia have caused plenty of problems for England in the past and could be the value bet to claim top spot in Group L.
The Three Lions are also scheduled to face Ghana and Panama in the opening phase, and should be good enough to collect the pointsneeded to qualify for the knockout stage.
However, they do not appeal as likely winners of the World Cup. Spain are worthy favourites and are strongly fancied to lift the trophy this summer.
