When Is England Next Playing In The World Cup

Right, let’s be honest. You’ve just finished a massive Sunday roast, the sofa has moulded itself perfectly to your shape, and you’ve got that sleepy, full-bellied feeling. Then your phone buzzes. A mate is asking, “When is England next playing in the World Cup?” You scramble for the remote, but the answer isn’t quite as simple as you hoped. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Let’s break it down like we’re chatting over a cuppa.

The Quick, No-Fuss Answer

The Men’s World Cup isn’t happening this year, or even next. We have to wait until the summer of 2026. Yes, that feels like a million years away, but trust me, it will be here before you’ve finished moaning about the price of a pint.

The Women’s World Cup is a totally different story. The Lionesses are our reigning European champions, and their next global tournament kicks off in 2027. That’s even further away, but the build-up will be absolute chaos (in the best way).

So, for both the men and the women, you can safely put your “Three Lions” flag back in the loft for a bit. But don’t get too comfortable!

Why Should You Care Right Now?

Think of it like your favourite TV series. You’ve just finished a brilliant season, but the next one doesn’t drop for two years. It’s frustrating, right? But the qualifying games are the “behind-the-scenes” episodes and the teaser trailers. They’re where the drama really starts.

England’s men’s team will start playing World Cup qualifiers in early 2025. These matches are the bread and butter. They’re the Tuesday night games where you accidentally eat a whole bag of crisps because Harry Kane is about to score a last-minute winner. They are the reason you get to party in the summer.

For the women, the qualifying campaign for 2027 has just begun. Watching them play is like watching your little sister absolutely crush it at the school sports day, except your sister is a world-class athlete and the sports day is against Germany. It’s pure joy.

The “Is It On TV?” Panic

We’ve all been there. You see a tweet saying, “England playing tonight!” and you freeze. You start frantically scrolling through your TV guide, shouting at anyone nearby, “Is it on BBC or ITV?!” For the next two years, the answer is usually ITV or Sky Sports for the men’s qualifiers. The Lionesses are often on BBC, which is brilliant because you don’t need a subscription. Just put the kettle on, grab a biscuit, and you’re sorted. No panic necessary.

The Glorious Reality of It All

Let’s be real. The World Cup isn’t just about football. It’s about the shared experience. It’s about the bloke in the pub who suddenly becomes a tactical genius after two pints. It’s about your nan texting you a picture of a penalty shootout she didn’t understand. It’s about the sheer, ridiculous hope that this time, this time, it’s actually coming home.

Even when England isn’t playing, the World Cup is a deadline calendar for life. Remember the 2018 tournament? That was the summer we all learned each other’s neighbours’ names because we watched the Colombia game over the fence. The 2022 one? That was the Christmas tournament where you watched games while pretending to be at a family gathering. These moments are gold dust.

A Little Story to Make You Smile

I once watched an England World Cup qualifier in a tiny pub in Cornwall. The only other person wearing a shirt was a 70-year-old woman who brought her own whistle. Every time England attacked, she’d blow it, and the landlord would shout, “Gladys, the dog is under the table!” Gladys didn’t care. She was living her best life. That’s the spirit. You don’t need to know the offside rule to care. You just need to want something good to happen and to enjoy the company.

So, when is England next playing in the World Cup? 2026 for the men, 2027 for the women. But the real question is: are you ready for the two-year journey of joy, heartbreak, and excuses to wear a waistcoat in the middle of summer? Because that journey starts next year.

What You Can Do Right Now

Don’t put the kettle down. Just make a note. The World Cup Qualifier draw is happening soon. That’s fancy talk for “finding out which countries we have to beat up on.” Check the FA website or just follow a football account on social media. They’ll tell you when the actual games are.

Also, mark your calendar for summer 2026. Right now, it sounds like a sci-fi date, but you’ll be there. You’ll be in a garden, a pub, or your living room, yelling “foul!” at a screen. And when it happens, the wait will feel like nothing at all.

For now, relax. The World Cup isn’t next week. But the dream of it is always just around the corner. And honestly? That’s the best bit. The hope. The banter. The possibility. So enjoy the quiet, folks. The noise is coming.