24 June 2026

Group L of the World Cup 2026 brings together England, Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. Thomas Tuchel will be charged with guiding England safely into the knockout stage while conserving energy for the tougher rounds ahead.

England’s opening clash with 2018 runners-up Croatia will set the tone for the group, revisiting their dramatic semi-final from eight years ago. The Three Lions will be eager to avenge that defeat, and if they can replicate the 6-1 thrashing of Panama from the 2018 group stage in Russia, they will be more than satisfied.

This Panama side appears more resilient than the 2018 version, while Ghana no longer carry the same strength that once saw them denied a semi-final berth by Luis Suarez’s infamous handball in 2010. Winning Group L is especially valuable, as the runners-up are likely to face tournament favourites Spain in the Round of 16.

It has now been 60 years since England’s sole World Cup triumph in 1966 – an achievement that feels increasingly distant as the generation that witnessed it enters retirement age. The year 1966 is now closer to the Titanic’s sinking than to the present day.

More relevant is England’s recent record: semi-final and quarter-final exits in the last two World Cups, plus back-to-back runner-up finishes at the European Championships. Tuchel has inherited Gareth Southgate’s mission – to finally end England’s six decades of footballing pain. Could it take a German coach to bring glory to English football?

With Harry Kane, Europe’s most prolific goalscorer over the past year, leading the line and a strong supporting cast, England boast impressive depth. Their perfect qualifying campaign – eight wins without conceding – suggests dominance, yet doubts linger about whether they can match the likes of Spain and France or withstand the North American heat. Only time will tell.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Manchester City)

Defenders: Reece James (Chelsea), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), John Stones (Manchester City), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Dan Burn (Newcastle), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)

Forwards: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Ivan Toney (Al Ahli)

Coach: Thomas Tuchel

Star player – Harry Kane (Bayern Munich): At 32, Kane is in the form of his life, with 61 goals in all competitions for Bayern Munich and a domestic double. His goalscoring instincts and ability to link play make him indispensable to England’s attack.

Breakout talent – Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City): The 21-year-old was named Manchester City’s Player of the Season after registering nine goals and six assists, mainly from left-back. A composed ball-player, O’Reilly could start at full-back but offers flexibility as a midfielder.

FIFA ranking: 4

Odds to win the World Cup: 15/2

For Croatia, this tournament could mark the final appearance for several stalwarts such as Ivan Perisic, Mateo Kovacic, Andrej Kramaric, Dominik Livakovic, and iconic captain Luka Modric, now 40. Their record – runners-up in 2018 and semi-finalists in 2022 – is outstanding for this golden generation, though age may now be catching up with them. Youngsters like Josko Gvardiol and Luka Vuskovic add fresh energy to the squad.

Croatia breezed through qualification unbeaten, winning seven and drawing once. Coach Zlatko Dalic remains quietly optimistic about his side’s prospects. A defeat to England would increase pressure, as while Ghana appear strong on paper, Panama could prove unexpectedly stubborn. Croatia should still progress to the knockout stage, but how far they can go remains uncertain.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Dominik Kotarski (FC Copenhagen), Ivor Pandur (Hull)

Defenders: Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City), Duje Caleta-Car (Real Sociedad), Josip Sutalo (Ajax), Josip Stanisic (Bayern Munich), Marin Pongracic (Fiorentina), Martin Erlic (Midtjylland), Luka Vuskovic (Hamburg)

Midfielders: Luka Modric (AC Milan), Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), Nikola Vlasic (Torino), Luka Sucic (Real Sociedad), Martin Baturina (Como), Kristijan Jakic (Augsburg), Petar Sucic (Inter), Nikola Moro (Bologna), Toni Fruk (Rijeka)

Forwards: Ivan Perisic (PSV), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marco Pasalic (Orlando City), Petar Musa (Dallas), Igor Matanovic (Freiburg)

Coach: Zlatko Dalic

Star player – Luka Modric (AC Milan): The timeless playmaker continues to excel at 40, now orchestrating play for AC Milan after legendary spells with Real Madrid and Tottenham. Entering his fifth World Cup, Modric aims to lead Croatia beyond their previous highs.

Breakout talent – Luka Vuskovic (Hamburg): At 19, the Tottenham centre-back shone on loan at Hamburg, earning a spot in the Bundesliga Team of the Season. Strong in the air and sharp in reading the game, he netted six goals for Hamburg and one for Croatia against Colombia in March.

FIFA ranking: 11

Odds to win the World Cup: 80/1

For Ghana, the painful memory of 2010 still lingers when Luis Suarez’s infamous handball denied them a historic semi-final berth. Since then, the Black Stars’ World Cup performances have been modest – group exits in 2014 and 2022 and failure to qualify in 2018. They topped their qualifying group comfortably with eight wins and a draw from ten matches.

However, their failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and poor friendly results – five defeats and a draw – raise doubts about their form. Veteran coach Carlos Queiroz relies on attacking talents like Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Inaki Williams, Kamaldeen Sulemana, and captain Jordan Ayew, with Thomas Partey marshalling midfield. Yet defensive frailties and lack of depth make progression difficult. Their opener against Panama in Toronto could define their campaign.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Benjamin Asare (Accra Hearts of Oak), Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Joseph Anang (St. Patrick’s Athletic)

Defenders: Baba Abdul Rahman (PAOK), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Marvin Senaya (Auxerre), Alidu Seidu (Rennes), Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano), Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir), Jonas Adjetey (Wolfsburg), Kojo Oppong Peprah (Nice), Derrick Luckassen (Pafos), Elisha Owusu (Auxerre)

Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Villarreal), Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo), Augustine Boakye (Saint-Etienne), Caleb Yirenkyi (FC Nordsjaelland), Abdul Fatawu (Leicester)

Forwards: Kamaldeen Sulemana (Atlanta), Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al Qadsiah), Ernest Nuamah (Lyon), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Brandon Thomas-Asante (Coventry), Prince Kwabena Adu (Viktoria Plzen), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Jordan Ayew (Leicester)

Coach: Carlos Queiroz

Star player – Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City): After a stellar season split between Bournemouth and Manchester City, where he scored the FA Cup final winner, Semenyo is Ghana’s attacking focal point. His strength, pace, and creativity make him vital to the team’s success.

Breakout talent – Caleb Yirenkyi (Nordsjaelland): At just 20, Yirenkyi has already earned 11 caps and scored in a recent friendly against Wales. A graduate of the Right to Dream academy, he has impressed in Denmark’s top flight and is on Porto’s radar.

FIFA ranking: 73

Odds to win the World Cup: 500/1

Panama, appearing in their second World Cup, aim to improve on their difficult 2018 showing, where they conceded 11 goals and scored only twice. They will have the chance to redeem themselves against England, who defeated them 6-1 in that tournament.

Under Thomas Christiansen, Panama have matured into a competitive side, reaching the 2023 Gold Cup final after beating the USA and finishing second in the 2023 Concacaf Nations League. They also remained unbeaten in World Cup qualifying. Ranked 33rd in the world, Panama are defensively organised and could realistically target a knockout berth by beating Ghana.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Orlando Mosquera (Al-Fayha), Luis Mejia (Nacional), Cesar Samudio (Marathon)

Defenders: Cesar Blackman (Slovan Bratislava), Jorge Gutierrez (Deportivo La Guaira), Amir Murillo (Besiktas), Fidel Escobar (Saprissa), Andres Andrade (LASK), Edgardo Farina (Pari Nizhny Novgorod), Jose Cordoba (Norwich), Eric Davis (Plaza Amador), Jiovany Ramos (Puerto Cabello), Roderick Miller (Turan Tovuz)

Midfielders: Anibal Godoy (San Diego), Adalberto Carrasquilla (UNAM), Carlos Harvey (Minnesota United), Cristian Martinez (Ironi Kiryat Shmona), Jose Luis Rodriguez (Juarez), Cesar Yanis (Cobresal), Yoel Barcenas (Mazatlan), Alberto Quintero (Plaza Amador), Azarias Londono (Universidad Catolica)

Forwards: Ismael Diaz (Leon), Cecilio Waterman (Universidad de Concepcion), Jose Fajardo (Universidad Catolica), Tomas Rodriguez (Saprissa)

Coach: Thomas Christiansen

Star player – Anibal Godoy (San Diego FC): The 36-year-old captain, with nearly 160 caps, anchors the midfield and provides leadership for Panama’s experienced squad. His composure and organisation are essential for a stronger showing this time.

Breakout talent – Jose Cordoba (Norwich City): The 25-year-old defender has impressed in the Championship and will be crucial in keeping Panama’s defence compact. His calmness on the ball and physicality have drawn interest from Premier League clubs.

FIFA ranking: 33

Odds to win the World Cup: 1500/1

The England–Croatia opener may decide the group’s outcome, with a draw a likely result that could make goal difference crucial. England are tipped to edge top spot, with Croatia second. Ghana and Panama could cancel each other out in a draw, leaving both short of qualification as one of the best third-placed teams.