ENGLAND were handed a horror knock-out route if they are to end 60 years of World Cup hurt.
While Thomas Tuchel will have been happy with England’s opening group, it will get a great deal harder as they have to face the most passionate in the tournament and then South America’s big two.
It means England must overcome Mexico, Brazil AND Argentina if they are to reach their first World Cup final since 1966.
The Three Lions were handed a decent opening group at the ceremony – and the chance for World Cup revenge.
They will open up against Croatia in either Dallas or Toronto on June 17.
It is a repeat of the 2018 semi-final match-up when England lost despite an early Kieran Trippier free-kick, although Gareth Southgate’s side beat the Croats in the opening game at the delayed Euro 2020.
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Six days later, it will Ghana from pot four, with the match in Boston or Toronto.
And finally they will meet Panama, who they hit for six in 2018, with New York or Philadelphia hosting on June 27.
But while winning the group should mean England avoid one of the tournament’s big guns until the last four, their knock-out route still looks perilous.
Thomas Tuchel’s men will place a third-placed side if they win their group, with the game in Atlanta’s magnificent Mercedes Benz Stadium.
Then they face a trip to the Azteca in Mexico City – where they were the victims of Diego Maradona’s Hand of God – and feet of genius – in 1986, to face the passion of Mexico.
And then, assuming the seedings work out, it would be Brazil in Miami – where the sultry heat would be a huge factor.
Get past both of those and England would then be seeded to meet Lionel Messi and the holders Argentina, back under the dome in Atlanta on July 15.
Tuchel has only been in charge for just over a year, but he will be desperate to finally end England’s 60 years of hurt in his first major tournament.
The Three Lions knew they would avoid most of the tournament’s heavy hitters after being seeded in Pot One alongside reigning champions Argentina, France and Spain.
They were in still in danger of being paired with some dangerous teams – but managed avoid the likes of Uruguay and Italy – who still need to go through the play-offs.
But England were given a tough test against Ghana in their final team from Pot 4.
England have been close to delivering the silverware the country desperately craves but have suffered some agonising moments in their pursuit of glory.
They reached the 2018 World Cup semi-finals under Gareth Southgate before a painful 2-1 loss to Croatia in extra time.
England also got to the Euro 2020 finals on home soil before failing at the last hurdle with a penalty shootout defeat to Italy.
And last year they were beaten 2-1 by Spain in the Euro 2024 final, which spelled the end of Southgate’s reign.
His replacement Tuchel was hired with the sole aim of trying to win England’s first World Cup since 1966.
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