Group L Preview
England haven’t won a World Cup since 1966, a fact that never gets old, and never gets less relevant. This summer in North America, Thomas Tuchel arrives with arguably the most talented Three Lions squad in decades, and a group stage draw that gives them every opportunity to build momentum before the knockout rounds begin.
But this group isn’t a gimme. Croatia have reached the semi-finals of the last three major tournaments. Ghana have talent that could embarrass anyone on the wrong day. And Panama have come a long way from the side England thrashed 6-1 eight years ago.
The pressure is on England, it always is. The question is whether they can finally handle it.
World Cup Group L fixtures and where to watch
Here’s the full list of fixtures. Matches with an asterisk start the previous day.
Here, we take a look at the teams in detail.
Croatia: 2026 World Cup preview, star player, prediction
Coach: Zlatko Dalic Qualification: UEFA Group L winners Best World Cup: Runners-up (2018)
Nobody does more with less than Croatia. They reached the final in 2018 and third place in 2022. They have outperformed their resources at every major tournament for nearly a decade, and there is no reason to think 2026 will be any different.
In just seven World Cups since 1998, Croatia have reached the semi-finals three times, a record that demands respect regardless of squad rankings or FIFA ratings.
Croatia qualified with ease, topping their UEFA group ahead of Czechia, winning seven of eight matches, scoring 26 goals and conceding just four.
The spine of this team is built on experience. The squad includes four players with more than 100 international caps in Modric, Ivan Perisic, Mateo Kovacic and Andrej Kramaric.
Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic has been outstanding at every major tournament. Defender Josko Gvardiol returns after recovering from a broken shin.
Croatia’s midfield remains the heartbeat of the side, with Kovacic and Pasalic complementing Modric, while Martin Baturina, Luka Sucic and Petar Sucic represent the next generation auditioning to eventually replace their captain.
The one nagging question is up front. No striker has nailed down the jersey outright, with Ante Budimir and Petar Musa competing for the central role.
Croatia Star Player: Luka Modric still runs the show
Luka Modric captains the side at his sixth World Cup, a record that places the 40-year-old AC Milan midfielder alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the first male footballers to reach that landmark.
With 196 international appearances, the former Ballon d’Or winner holds the record for the most caps in Croatian football history.
Prediction: Croatia to make the knockouts
They always do. The England game in Dallas on June 17 is the group’s defining match. Whoever wins that controls Group L. Expect Croatia to make it hard for everyone.
England: 2026 World Cup preview, star player, prediction
Coach: Thomas Tuchel Qualification: UEFA Group K winners (unbeaten, zero goals conceded) Best World Cup: Winners (1966)
The tournament everyone back home has been building towards. England arrive in North America with genuine quality across the pitch, a world-class manager and a group draw that is manageable. There are no more excuses.
England sealed qualification without conceding a single goal across eight matches, a statement of intent that Tuchel has made his calling card.
Harry Kane captains England at his third World Cup, equalling the record set by Billy Wright in 1950, 1954 and 1958.
Kane arrives in the form of his life. He scored 58 goals across all competitions for Bayern Munich this season, winning the European Golden Shoe.
Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka will all be at their second World Cup. All three were excellent at Euro 2024, and all three are better players now.
The selection did not come without controversy. Phil Foden and Cole Palmer both failed to make the final 26 – calls that sparked enormous debate among supporters.
England star player: Harry Kane leads from the front
As a genuine contender to win the Ballon d’Or and in the most prolific form of his life, Harry Kane will bear the weight of expectation this summer.
He has added a number of trophies to his cabinet since joining Bayern Munich three years ago, but nothing would mean more to him than captaining his country to the World Cup.
And with the goalscoring form he is in, no defence in the world can put a stop to Kane’s striking.
Prediction: England top the group
This squad is too good for this group. Croatia away is the only fixture that carries genuine risk, and England should navigate it.
Ghana: 2026 World Cup preview, star player, prediction
Coach: Carlos Queiroz Qualification: CAF Group I winners Best World Cup: Quarter-finals (2010)
Ghana have history at the World Cup. The 2010 quarter-final, the handball, the tears, the penalty miss, remains one of the most dramatic moments in the tournament’s history. The Black Stars have been trying to recapture that magic ever since.
They arrive at their fifth World Cup having navigated a tough build-up. A dominant qualification campaign pointed towards a side on the rise, but momentum unravelled in the months leading up to the finals.
The sacking of Otto Addo brought in vastly experienced Portuguese manager Carlos Queiroz, the man who has previously coached Iran, Egypt and Saudi Arabia on the global stage.
The squad confirmation brought several notable absentees. Mohammed Kudus misses the tournament through injury, a significant blow to Ghana’s best creative outlet.
Mohammed Salisu is also absent with an ACL injury, weakening a defensive unit that conceded just six goals across qualifying.
The midfield is anchored by Thomas Partey of Villarreal, whose 56 caps and 15 goals underscore his importance on the pitch. His inclusion comes despite pending legal proceedings in the UK. He has pleaded not guilty.
Jordan Ayew captains the side and arrives at his third World Cup. He scored seven goals and contributed seven assists across qualifying. Inaki Williams (Athletic Club) and Ernest Nuamah (Lyon) add pace to the forward line.
Star Player: Semenyo set to round off incredible campaign
Semenyo scored 11 goals in 27 games for Manchester City after moving from Bournemouth in January for an initial £62.5m, and helped City lift the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.
He is quick, direct and capable of producing moments of individual brilliance that can unlock any defence.
With Kudus absent, this is now unambiguously Semenyo’s tournament.
Prediction: Ghana fight for second place
The Croatia game on June 27 in Philadelphia could decide who joins England from this group. Ghana have the talent to cause an upset. Queiroz has the experience to set them up to do it.
Panama: 2026 World Cup preview, star player, prediction
Coach: Thomas Christiansen Qualification: CONCACAF (automatic qualification) Best World Cup: Group stage (2018)
Panama were beaten 6-1 by England at their World Cup debut in 2018. They lost all three games without a point. They left Russia with two goals to their name and a goal difference of -9. What a difference eight years makes.
Under the tutelage of ex-Leeds manager Thomas Christiansen, they have risen from 81st in the FIFA world rankings to 33rd during an incredible six-year journey, reaching an all-time high of 29th late in 2025.
Their qualification campaign saw them pick up four wins from four in the first CONCACAF group stage, then an unbeaten second group stage to secure their place in North America with room to spare.
The squad is built around a trusted core: Amir Murillo at right-back (currently playing for Marseille in Ligue 1), Anibal Godoy anchoring midfield, and Yoel Barcenas providing creativity.
Veteran forward Alberto Quintero, 38, earns his place after missing the 2018 World Cup through injury. A full circle moment for the striker.
Star Player: Adalberto ‘Coco’ Carrasquilla
Carrasquilla earned the 2023 Gold Cup Best Player award and has established himself as one of Panama’s most consistent performers.
He controls tempo, can unlock defences with a through ball and provides the creative link between Godoy’s defensive work and the attack.
Prediction: Panama bow out
They won’t win this group. But they won’t roll over either. The Ghana opener in Toronto is their most winnable fixture. A point would be a major result.
