Group L closes the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage with a fascinating combination of European pedigree, African ambition, Balkan steel and CONCACAF resilience. England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama form a pool that could deliver some of the most tactically varied football of the early rounds. With fixtures in Dallas, Toronto and Boston, Group L brings together two World Cup finalists from recent tournaments alongside two sides with genuine progression ambitions for those looking to buy World Cup 2026 Tickets.
The Favourites: England
England enter the 2026 World Cup as one of the genuine favourites to lift the trophy. The Three Lions have reached at least the quarter-finals of every major tournament since 2018 — finalists at Euro 2020, semi-finalists at Qatar 2022, and finalists again at Euro 2024 — and the talent at their disposal is now at peak maturity. With a new manager bringing fresh ideas and a squad that combines elite-level individuals across every position, England should top Group L comfortably. The pressure, as ever, will be on delivering when it matters in the knockout rounds — a recurring source of national anguish.
The Challengers
Croatia are one of football’s most remarkable recent stories. The Vatreni reached the 2018 World Cup final and finished third at Qatar 2022, with a squad that consistently overachieves through tactical intelligence, midfield brilliance and tournament savvy. Even with Luka Modrić now in the very twilight of his international career, Croatia remain a side capable of upsetting anyone. Their clash with England in the opening matchday will be one of the most tactically interesting fixtures of the entire group stage.
Ghana are one of African football’s most decorated nations, returning to the World Cup with a sense of unfinished business. The Black Stars famously came within a Luis Suárez handball of becoming the first African side to reach a World Cup semi-final in 2010, and that scar remains. Their squad combines European-based experience with emerging young talent, and they are tactically organised under their coaching staff.
Panama are returning to the World Cup for only their second-ever appearance, having debuted at Russia 2018. Los Canaleros have grown significantly since that debut, and qualified comfortably through CONCACAF. They are physically robust and tactically disciplined.
Talents to Watch
For England, record goal scorer Harry Kane is the centrepiece, as he continues to be one of the world’s most clinical finishers. The England captain scored 66 goals so far this season, if that’s not a good omen for England winning the World Cup then we don’t know what is! 61 of Harry Kane’s goals came for his club Bayern Munich in all competitions, with a sublime hattrick in his last match for Bayern in their 3-0 over VfB Stuttgart in the German Cup. Another one to watch is Jude Bellingham, the Real Madrid midfielder is one of the most complete players in world football, combining physicality, technical quality and an extraordinary ability to arrive in the box at decisive moments. Bukayo Saka will be one of the other star players having recently clinched his first Premier League title with Arsenal. Declan Rice anchors the midfield with the same composure he brings to Arsenal. Ivan Toney is a surprise inclusion having not featured much under Thomas Tuchel, but his penalty taking is second to none so perhaps that’s a factor in his selection. Defensively, Manchester City teammates John Stones and Marc Guehi lead the back line, and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford remains a tournament specialist.
Croatia’s key man is, in many ways, still Luka Modrić. Even at the very end of his career, the former Ballon d’Or winner remains capable of dictating play with his vision and passing. Alongside him, Mateo Kovačić brings energy and ball-carrying quality, while Joško Gvardiol has emerged as one of Europe’s best young defenders. Andrej Kramarić offers experience in attack, while Mario Pašalić provides arriving-runs from midfield. We predict a starring appearance from Spurs defender Luka Vušković in this World Cup.
For Ghana, Mohammed Kudus is the star. The Tottenham attacker’s dribbling, finishing and ability to play across the front line make him a constant threat. Thomas Partey anchors the midfield with Premier League quality, while Jordan Ayew offers experience and goalscoring at international level. Antoine Semenyo has emerged as a genuine Premier League force, and his pace and finishing make him a real asset.
Panama’s main hopes rest on Adalberto Carrasquilla, the midfielder whose technical quality and box-arriving runs have made him central to their setup. Michael Murillo offers attacking thrust from right-back, while veteran Aníbal Godoy brings tournament experience.
How the Group Could Unfold
The opening matchday features England vs Croatia in Dallas and Ghana vs Panama in Toronto. The England-Croatia fixture will be the marquee match of the entire group, with both sides looking to send an early statement. Ghana should be favoured against Panama. The matchday two clash between England and Ghana, and matchday three’s Panama vs Croatia, could decide the second qualification spot.
A predicted finish: England top, Croatia second, Ghana third with a chance of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams.
Final Word
Group L brings the group stage to a close in style. Bellingham’s midfield brilliance against the lingering elegance of Modrić, Kudus’s emergence as Ghana’s new talisman, Kane’s continuing pursuit of major silverware — there is genuine substance at every turn. England are favourites, but Croatia have made a habit of upsetting expectations on the biggest stage. Expect Group L to deliver one or two memorable matches before the knockout rounds take centre stage.
