Who Will England Face in the World Cup Knockout Stage? Potential Scenarios

Although it feels like the FIFA World Cup barely started five minutes ago, we are just two days removed from the knockout stages already beginning. England are one of very few countries with multiple Chelsea players in their squad - in Trevoh Chalobah and Reece James - so let's take a look at how things could go for them. 

After a disappointing draw with Ghana, in a game that would have seen The Three Lions top the group with a win, England will have to beat Panama on Saturday night to make sure of their first place position. 

So, what happens if that happens, and what happens if it doesn't? 

Should Thomas Tuchel's side take care of business against Panama, they will play against a third placed team in their last 32 clash on Wednesday, at 17:00 BST. It will be a third placed team from Group E, H, I, J or K. So that could vary from Ecuador, Uruguay, Senegal, Austria, Algeria, Colombia or Portugal. 

As it stands, they would play Ecuador, which would be an incredibly tough game. "La Tri" have either kept a clean sheet or just conceded one goal in each of their last 23 games. That fixture is potentially subject to change, however. The permutations are pretty mental. Very hard to keep up with since the change to 48 teams. No more Group A winner playing Group B runners up or anything like that.

Now, if England were to win that round of 32 game, things do get very tasty. Indeed, as they could play Mexico, at the famous Azteca stadium in the round of 16 tie, in what would be a serious "banana skin".

It would be particularly concerning if James is not fit. The right-back is currently training on his own ahead of the clash with Panama this weekend, so we can assume he will not be fit for that one. It is very important to keep him in cotton wool, considering his past with injuries and just how important he is to this team. 

Tuchel made the conscious decision to call up Chalobah - a central defender - instead of an out and out full back when Cobham graduate Tino Livramento pulled out with injury. So it is hard to have too much sympathy with him if James is going to miss a substantial amount of games. 

Stay tuned here at roundtable for all the updates.