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The five ways England World Cups usually end – and what 2026 might bring

England have played at 11 World Cup finals since 1966. Yet ROB TAYLOR believes every tournament has followed just five familiar storylines. As another campaign begins, which ending awaits England this time?

14.06.26, 22:00 Updated 14.06.26, 22:27 3 Minute Read

Robert Taylor

Robert Taylor

So here we go again. It’s about to kick off and football fans the world over will think of little else during the coming weeks. I certainly won’t. Well, not until we, England, play our final match.   

This will be the eleventh World Cup finals in which I’ve seen us play, and the twelfth since that famous day in 1966. And, to my mind, in all that time, we’ve only had five types of tournament ending. Only five.   

What will 2026 give us? I feel pretty certain it’ll be one of those types again.   

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Robert Taylor

Robert Taylor Author of Tears for England, Robert combines wit, honesty and lived experience. A writer shaped by England’s highs and lows, he offers thoughtful, grounded insight into the national team.

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