Tessa Lee, Sports journalist reporting on global leagues since 2021.
England have won the FIFA World Cup once, with their only title coming in 1966 on home soil. As the Three Lions continue their campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup under Thomas Tuchel, hopes are once again growing that they can end a 60 year wait for a second world title. After topping Group L and advancing to the knockout stage, England remain among the leading contenders to lift the trophy.
The country's World Cup history features memorable triumphs, heartbreaking exits and several near misses. While England have consistently qualified for the tournament over the past several decades, repeating the success of 1966 has proven elusive.
England's only World Cup triumph came in 1966
England's sole FIFA World Cup title arrived at the 1966 tournament, which the nation hosted.
The Three Lions defeated West Germany 4 to 2 after extra time in a dramatic final at Wembley Stadium to claim their first and only world championship.
Geoff Hurst delivered one of the greatest performances in World Cup history by scoring a hat trick in the final. His achievement stood as the only hat trick in a men's World Cup final until Kylian Mbappé scored three goals in the 2022 final.
The victory remains the defining moment in English football history and continues to shape expectations for every generation of players.
Recent tournaments have brought mixed fortunes
England have regularly challenged deep into major international tournaments without adding another World Cup title.
They reached the semifinals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup before finishing fourth after defeat to Croatia in the last four and Belgium in the third place playoff.
On the European stage, England finished as runners up at both UEFA Euro 2020 and UEFA Euro 2024, falling just short of ending their long trophy drought.
Those performances helped establish England as one of international football's strongest teams entering the 2026 World Cup.
England World Cup history
England first competed at the FIFA World Cup in 1950 after choosing not to enter the first three tournaments.
Since then, the Three Lions have qualified consistently, missing only the 1974, 1978 and 1994 editions.
Since the Premier League era began, England have reached the knockout stage in six of their previous seven World Cup appearances before 2026, demonstrating their consistency at football's biggest tournament.
Their deepest runs since winning the trophy have come in 1990 and 2018, when they reached the semifinals before ultimately finishing fourth.
England at every FIFA World Cup
World Cup | Result |
|---|---|
1930 | Did not enter |
1934 | Did not enter |
1938 | Did not enter |
1950 | Group stage |
1954 | Quarterfinals |
1958 | Group stage |
1962 | Quarterfinals |
1966 | Champions |
1970 | Quarterfinals |
1974 | Did not qualify |
1978 | Did not qualify |
1982 | Second group stage |
1986 | Quarterfinals |
1990 | Fourth place |
1994 | Did not qualify |
1998 | Round of 16 |
2002 | Quarterfinals |
2006 | Quarterfinals |
2010 | Round of 16 |
2014 | Group stage |
2018 | Fourth place |
2022 | Quarterfinals |
Can England win the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
England remain firmly in contention for a second FIFA World Cup title after finishing top of Group L.
Thomas Tuchel's side opened the tournament with victory over Croatia before earning enough points against Ghana and Panama to secure first place in the group.
The Three Lions now face DR Congo in the Round of 32, where every match becomes a knockout contest.
England possess one of the tournament's deepest squads, led by captain Harry Kane and supported by Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice.
If they continue to improve as the competition progresses, England will believe they have a realistic opportunity to reach another World Cup final and challenge for their first title since 1966.
While stronger opponents await in the later rounds, England's blend of experience, attacking quality and tournament pedigree makes them one of the teams capable of going all the way.
