SportFootballWorld Cup 2026England face Mexico in the last-16 of the World Cup with their potential opponents beyond that knockout round now clearer04:31, 04 Jul 2026England are likely to face Brazil and Argentina on their path to a potential World Cup final if they beat Mexico in the last-16. The two South American giants are favourites to beat Norway and Egypt in their upcoming knockout ties, which would see Carlo Ancelotti's side waiting in the quarter-finals and the holders in the final four.‌Lionel Messi and Co. would also have to get beyond one of Switzerland or Colombia to face the Three Lions - assuming they beat Mexico and Brazil - in the semi-finals.‌Argentina are the favourites to do exactly that but were given quite the scare in the round of 32 with their clash against Cape Verde going to extra-time. Messi scored a stunning opener before Deroy Duarte equalised to set up another 30 minutes of action beyond normal time.‌Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by _ signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now!Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez grabbed what he and many others thought was the winner only for Sidny Cabral to find the top corner with a sensational strike. However, Cristian Romero did head home the decisive goal midway through the second half of extra-time.Lionel Scaloni's side are subsequently set to face Egypt, who beat Australia on penalties earlier in the day, in the last-16. In the lead up to and during that clash, claims that FIFA would be changing the kick-off time of England vs Mexico earlier due to the weather emerged, before a U-turn on that plan was swiftly completed.‌Elsewhere on England's side of the bracket, Norway and Brazil beat Ivory Coast and Japan, respectively, through late goals.The final spot in the last-16 will go to Colombia after their victory over Ghana. Jhon Arias opened the scoring for the former inside the first 15 minutes and with the African nation failing to create many clear cut chances, Colombia advanced courtesy of a 1-0 win.‌Switzerland await in the next round following their comfortable 2-0 win over Algeria. The winner of that tie will then face Argentina or Egypt.On the other side of the bracket, France take on Paraguay, Morocco do battle against co-host nation Canada, Spain and Portugal go head-to-head in what is arguably the tie of the round, while USA face Belgium.Didier Deschamps' side are clear favourites to reach the final with Argentina seemingly their most likely opponents, until their deficiencies were exposed by Cape Verde.Article continues belowDespite that, England would have almost certainly preferred to see the island nation get through and they would have certainly given all of Egypt Switzerland and Colombia a competitive game.A very late goal also put Brazil through at the expense of Japan with the possibility of facing the two South American heavyweights the worst-case scenario for Thomas Tuchel's side.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌World Cup 2026England football teamThomas Tuchel