England open their 2026 World Cup campaign in Group L, where they will face Croatia, Ghana and Panama.
Thomas Tuchel’s side arrive as one of the tournament favourites. Croatia bring the strongest recent World Cup record in the group, Ghana have enough attacking quality to make things awkward, and Panama are back for their second appearance on this stage.
The expanded 48 team format means the top two teams in each group advance, along with the eight best third place sides. England should win Group L, but Croatia are the side most likely to test whether that confidence is justified.
England
This is a group England should top without too much fuss. Anything less would be a disappointment given the talent and control they have across the squad.
Their status as favourites is not just down to reputation. England won all eight of their UEFA qualifiers, scored 22 goals and conceded none.
That matters. Tournament football is often decided by control, and England’s qualifying campaign showed they can control games without leaving themselves open.
The defensive numbers are even stronger when the underlying data is added. England conceded only 2.1 expected goals in UEFA qualifying, which was the best figure in the European section.
They also have the forward who can turn that control into a decisive edge. Harry Kane scored 64 goals in 56 competitive games for Bayern Munich in 2025-26, and he remains the obvious reference point for this team.
That does not make England flawless. It does make them the side with the clearest route through the group.
FIFA ranking: 4th.
Best World Cup result: Winners in 1966.
Key players: Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice.
Group L matches:
England vs Croatia, Dallas Stadium, 17 June.
England vs Ghana, Boston Stadium, 23 June.
Panama vs England, New York/New Jersey Stadium, 27 June.
The first match is the most important one. Croatia are the only team in this group with the tournament record to make England uncomfortable from the start.
If England beat Croatia, they should take control of the group quickly. If they do not, the group becomes more awkward than it first appears.
Croatia
Croatia are the best bet to follow England into the knockout stage. Their case is built on tournament proof, not guesswork.
Croatia reached the 2018 World Cup final and finished third at the 2022 World Cup. That is a better recent record than England have in this competition.
The question is not whether Croatia know how to perform at a World Cup. They clearly do.
The question is whether their ageing core can still deliver the intensity required across three group matches. That is the only serious caveat.
Even then, Luka Modric still matters because his game has never been built purely on pace. He has completed 199 line breaking passes across the last three World Cups, more than any other player in that span.
Ivan Perisic gives Croatia another proven tournament weapon. He has 18 major tournament goal involvements for Croatia, with 10 goals and eight assists.
That level of experience should not be dismissed. Croatia may not have England’s squad depth, but they know exactly how to survive difficult tournament moments.
FIFA ranking: 11th.
Best World Cup result: Runners up in 2018.
Key players: Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, Josko Gvardiol, Dominik Livakovic.
Group L matches:
England vs Croatia, Dallas Stadium, 17 June.
Panama vs Croatia, Toronto Stadium, 23 June.
Croatia vs Ghana, Philadelphia Stadium, 27 June.
The opener against England gives Croatia a real chance to change the tone of the group. A draw would be enough to put pressure on Tuchel’s side.
The final game against Ghana could then become decisive. Croatia’s advantage is that they look more reliable when the pressure rises.
Ghana
Ghana are dangerous. Any argument that dismisses them is too simple.
They have attacking players who can hurt teams in transition, and Jordan Ayew’s qualifying output gives them a strong starting point. He had 14 goal involvements in CAF qualifying, split evenly between goals and assists.
That gives Ghana a clear route to making Group L uncomfortable. They do not need to dominate possession to threaten Croatia or Panama.
The concern is at the other end of the pitch. Ghana have not kept a clean sheet in their last 10 World Cup matches.
That is the reason Croatia look the better second place pick. Ghana have flair, but defensive control is harder to trust.
Carlos Queiroz gives them experience in the dugout, and that should help. But structure has to show up quickly in a group where one loose defensive performance could change everything.
FIFA ranking: 74th.
Best World Cup result: Quarter finals in 2010.
Key players: Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams, Mohammed Kudus.
Group L matches:
Ghana vs Panama, Toronto Stadium, 17 June.
England vs Ghana, Boston Stadium, 23 June.
Croatia vs Ghana, Philadelphia Stadium, 27 June.
The Panama opener is essential. Ghana have to win that game because England come next, and Croatia wait at the end.
If Ghana beat Panama, they can take the group deep. If they drop points, their route becomes much harder.
Panama
Panama are the outsiders in Group L. They are not a soft touch.
This is their second World Cup appearance, and they arrive with more evidence than they had in 2018. Panama avoided defeat during 2026 CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.
That resilience matters. It does not make them favourites to qualify, but it does make them harder to dismiss.
They also have a clear tactical identity. Panama led the cited regional qualifying metrics for high turnovers, pressed sequences and lowest PPDA, with 82 high turnovers, 137 pressed sequences and a 9.4 PPDA.
That pressing could make them awkward, especially against Ghana. Their best route to changing the group begins with that opening match in Toronto.
Still, the gap to England and Croatia is clear. Panama need a major result to move beyond the outsider role.
FIFA ranking: 33rd.
Best World Cup result: Group stage in 2018.
Key players: Adalberto Carrasquilla, Anibal Godoy, Jose Cordoba, Amir Murillo.
Group L matches:
Ghana vs Panama, Toronto Stadium, 17 June.
Panama vs Croatia, Toronto Stadium, 23 June.
Panama vs England, New York/New Jersey Stadium, 27 June.
The expanded format gives Panama a possible third place route. That is the realistic target.
But a realistic target is not the same as an easy one. Panama need points early, or England and Croatia will quickly move out of reach.
That leaves Group L with a clear shape. England should finish first because they have the best blend of defensive control, attacking power and squad quality.
Croatia should follow them because tournament experience still matters. Ghana have the talent to force a real fight, and Panama are better organised than many will assume, but England and Croatia remain the safest picks to reach the knockout stage.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
