Have England won the World Cup? Three Lions' all

Have England won the World Cup? Three Lions' all-time record at FIFA finals originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

England arrived at the 2026 FIFA World Cup among the favourites after reaching the final of Euro 2024 and building another talented squad under Thomas Tuchel.

An impressive opening win over Croatia was followed by more pedestrian efforts against Ghana and Panama.

Nevertheless, the Three Lions progressed as Group L winners and remain in the hunt to achieve their ultimate goal - ending the much-discussed 60 years of hurt.

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How many times have England won the World Cup?

England have won the FIFA World Cup once, with their only triumph coming on home soil in 1966. Their famous 4-2 extra-time victory over West Germany at Wembley remains the most iconic moment in the country's rich soccer history

Geoff Hurst was the hero of that final, netting a hat-trick that remained the only one ever scored in a men's World Cup final until Kylian Mbappe's efforts in 2022.

That 1966 success has been the source of inspiration and pressure for every England generation since.

England have come close to another major title in recent years, reaching the World Cup semifinals in 2018 and finishing as runners-up at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.

After competing at their first World Cup in 1950, England have been a consistent qualifier ever since, with just three tournaments missed in the post-war period.

Since the start of the Premier League era, England have reached the knockout stages in six of their past seven World Cup appearances, although the next step has proven impossible to take for a string of England squads and managers.

Will England win the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

England remain in the hunt for a second FIFA World Cup title, with the Three Lions progressing to the knockout stages after finishing top of Group L.

Thomas Tuchel's side have handled the group stage professionally and now turn their attention to a Round of 32 meeting with DR Congo. From this point on, every match is win or go home as England attempt to end their 60-year wait for World Cup glory.

The knockout rounds are expected to provide a much sterner test, but England have shown they possess the quality to challenge the tournament's leading contenders if they can maintain their level of performance.

Led by captain Harry Kane and supported by the likes of Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, England boast one of the strongest squads remaining in the competition and will believe they have a genuine opportunity to lift the trophy.

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