Sat, 03 Dec 22 06:00:00 +0000

England's route to World Cup 2022 final mapped out as last-16 matches confirmed

The 2022 World Cup group stage is over and that means the full lineup for the last 16 has been confirmed.

That also allows England to find out who they may have to face in the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the tournament to reach the World Cup final on December 18, should they first overcome Senegal in their last 16 clash on Sunday.

As a result of the final round of group stage fixtures reaching their conclusion this week, Mirror Football tells you all you need to know about which teams remain in the competition and who England could potentially face in the latter stages of the tournament.

Last 16 draw in full

Saturday, December 3

Netherlands vs USA (Group A winners vs Group B runners-up) - 3pm

Argentina vs Australia (Group C winners vs Group D runners-up) - 7pm

Sunday, December 4

France vs Poland (Group D winners vs Group C runners-up) - 3pm

England vs Senegal (Group B winners vs Group A runners-up) - 7pm

Monday, December 5

Japan vs Croatia - (Group E winners vs Group F runners-up) - 3pm

Brazil vs South Korea (Group G winners vs Group H runners-up) - 7pm

Tuesday, December 6

Morocco vs Spain (Group F winners vs Group E runners-up) - 3pm

Portugal vs Switzerland/Cameroon/Serbia (Group H winners vs Group G runners-up) - 7pm

England have found out who they could face to reach the final of the 2022 World Cup (

Image:

Alex Pantling - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

Last 16 - Senegal

After winning Group B, England will face Senegal in the last 16, who finished as runners-up in Group A.

The Three Lions ensured they avoided an unfavourable clash with the Netherlands by topping their group, but that’s not to say things won’t be plain-sailing against the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations champions - even if they are without a certain Sadio Mane.

This would be the first ever meeting between the two sides.

Quarter-finals - France/Poland

England are expected to face 2018 World Cup winners France in the quarter-finals (

Image:

Elsa/Getty Images)

Should England overcome Senegal in their last 16 tie, then they will face the winner of France vs Poland in the quarter-finals.

Many will be expecting it to be France following their strong showing in the group stage with victories over Australia (4-1) and Denmark (2-1), even if there was a 1-0 defeat to Tunisia in their final fixture.

It would represent a 32nd meeting between England and France and their third in World Cup competition, with the Three Lions securing group stage victories in 1966 and 1982.

Semi-finals - Morocco/Spain/Portugal/Switzerland

Spain could be England's potential opponents in the semi-finals (

Image:

Getty Images)

To ensure two teams from the same group cannot meet each other again until the final, two pathways are created in order to avoid this scenario, meaning England will play one of Morocco, Spain, Portugal or Switzerland in the semi-finals.

Morocco shocked the world to top Group H ahead of Croatia and Belgium, and will now take on Spain in the last 16, who themselves lost to Japan in their final group game to finish as runners-up. Nonetheless, La Roja will be favourites to progress to the quarter-finals, where they would face one of Group H winner or Group G runner-up.

Portugal topped a tough Group H and will now fancy their chances of overcoming Switzerland to make it to the quarter-finals. However, there they are likely to face Spain, but should they overcome their local rivals, the Three Lions could be battling Cristiano Ronaldo and co. for a place in the final.