ENGLAND have been thrown into a blockbuster group in a simulated draw for the 2026 World Cup – which includes one familiar foe.
The Three Lions have a date with Erling Haaland’s Norway, a game that would have fans circling their calendars.
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Norway’s Erling Haaland is in the best form of his lifeCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
German manager Thomas Tuchel has been hired to win the World CupCredit: Javier Garcia/Shutterstock
England captain Harry Kane will be key if the Three Lions are to win their first World Cup since 1966Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Thomas Tuchel’s men were handed a treacherous path in the mock-up draw, landing in a group alongside Norway, Ghana and Uruguay.
They are three sides capable of causing serious problems on the biggest stage – with the Norwegians sweeping aside Italy 4-1 in their final qualifier.
And it’s the potential meeting with goal machine Haaland that will grab the headlines.
The Manchester City superstar has never played in a major tournament but the simulation suggests England could be the ones facing his long-awaited arrival on the world stage.
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Adding even more spice, the group also features a clash with with Uruguay.
The two-time world champions are known for their ferocious style, dark-arts mastery and star names such as Darwin Nunez and Federico Valverde.
But they will not have veteran Luis Suarez, who despite still playing in Miami will not be at the World Cup next year.
Then there’s Ghana, who have built a reputation as giant-killers and boast a new generation of Premier League-hardened talent that includes Tottenham’s Mohammed Kudus and Bournemouth man Antoine Semenyo.
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The Ghana team is led by Mohammed KudusCredit: Getty
Former Liverpool man Darwin Nunez is the danger man for UruguayCredit: Getty
The west Africans last played England at Wembley after the 2010 World Cup and earned a respectable 1-1 draw.
England fans will still remember the Black Stars’ iconic 2010 run, and know they can never be taken lightly.
And the clash between Ghana and Uruguay will need no ramping up, with Suarez’s controversial deliberate handball in the 2010 Wolrd Cup quarter final between the two sides helping to send the South Americans through.
Ghana got slight revenge in 2022 when they lost 2-0 to the Uruguayans. It meant Suarez and Co went out the tournament as they needed to win 3-0 to go through.
Elsewehere in the simulated draw, Scotland have been rewarded for their last-minute heroics against Denmark with a group including Japan and Brazil.
They will also face the smallest nation to ever qualify in Curacao, who qualified at the expense of Steve McClaren’s Jamaica.
From Haaland’s powerhouse presence to Uruguay’s relentless aggression and Ghana’s unpredictable spark, England’s route to the knockout stages would be anything but smooth.
FOLLOW all the build-up to next summer’s World Cup right here including England updates, ticket news and Donald Trump’s latest plans.
