Preview Collection L
England did not win World Cup Since 1966, it’s a fact that never gets old, and never becomes less relevant. This summer in North America, Thomas Tuchel arrives with the most talented Three Lions squad in decades, with a group stage draw giving them every chance to build momentum before the knockout stages begin.
But this group is not Gimme. Croatia has reached the semi-finals in the last three major tournaments. Ghana has a talent that can embarrass anyone on the wrong day. Panama has come a long way after crushing England 6-1 eight years ago.
The pressure is on England, it always is. The question is whether they can handle it in the end.
World Cup Group L matches and where to watch
Here is the complete list of equipment. Matches containing an asterisk start the day before.
| match | date | Start time (British Summer Time) | at | Pt | place | UK TV channel |
| England vs Croatia | Wednesday 17 June | 21:00 | 16:00 | 13:00 | Arlington | ITV, ITVX |
| Ghana vs Panama | Thursday 18 June | 00:00 | 19:00* | 16:00* | toronto | ITV, ITVX |
| England vs Ghana | Tuesday 23 June | 21:00 | 16:00 | 13:00 | Foxboro | BBC, iPlayer |
| Panama vs Croatia | Wednesday 24 June | 00:00 | 19:00* | 16:00* | toronto | BBC, iPlayer |
| Panama vs England | Saturday 27 June | 22:00 | 17:00 | 14:00 | New York | ITV, ITVX |
| Croatia vs Ghana | Saturday 27 June | 22:00 | 17:00 | 14:00 | Philadelphia | ITV, ITVX |
Here we take a look at the difference in detail.
Croatia: 2026 World Cup Preview, Star Player, Prediction
trainer: Zlatko Dalic
eligible: Winners of Group L of the European Union
Best World Cup: Runner-up (2018)
No one does more with less resources than Croatia. They reached the final in 2018 and third place in 2022. They have outplayed their means in every major tournament for nearly a decade, and there’s no reason to believe 2026 will be any different.
In just seven World Cups since 1998, Croatia has reached the semi-finals three times, a record that commands respect regardless of team rankings or FIFA ratings.
Croatia qualified easily, topping their UEFA group ahead of the Czechs, winning seven of eight matches, scoring 26 goals and conceding only four.
The backbone of this team is built on experience. The team includes four players who have played more than 100 international matches: Modric, Ivan Perisic, Mateo Kovacic and Andrej Kramaric.
Goalkeeper Dominik Levakovic has been outstanding at every major tournament. Defender Josko Gvardiol returns after recovering from a broken leg.
Croatia’s midfield remains the beating heart of the team, with Kovacic and Pasalic complementing Modric, while Martin Baturina, Luka Sučić and Petar Sučić represent the next generation of tests to eventually replace the team’s captain.
The only annoying question is in the introduction. No striker has fully nailed the shirt, with Ante Budimir and Petar Musa competing for the central role.
Croatia star: Luka Modric still running the show
Luka Modric will lead the team to a sixth World Cup final, a record that places the 40-year-old AC Milan midfielder alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the first footballers to reach the milestone.
With 196 caps, the former Ballon d’Or winner holds the record for the most caps in Croatian football history.
Prediction: Croatia qualifies for the knockout rounds
They always do. England’s match in Dallas on June 17 will be the decisive match for the group. Whoever wins will control Group L. Expect Croatia to make things difficult for everyone.
England: 2026 World Cup Preview, Star Player, Prediction
trainer: Thomas Tuchel
eligible: UEFA Group K winners (unbeaten, 0 goals:)
Best World Cup: Winners (1966)
The tournament that everyone back home was looking forward to. England arrive in North America with real quality all over the pitch, a world-class manager, and a manageable squad. There are no more excuses.
England secured qualification without conceding a single goal in eight matches, a declaration of intent that Tuchel made his calling card.
Harry Kane leads England to a third World Cup final, equaling the record set by Billy Wright in 1950, 1954 and 1958.
Kane arrives in his life form. He scored 58 goals in all competitions for Bayern Munich this season, winning the European Golden Shoe.
Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka will be playing in their second World Cup finals. All three were excellent at Euro 2024, and all three are even better players now.
The choice did not come without controversy. Phil Foden and Cole Palmer both failed to make the last 26 – calls that sparked huge controversy among supporters.
England’s star player: Harry Kane leads from the front
A genuine Ballon d’Or contender and in the best form of his life, Harry Kane will bear the weight of expectations this summer.
He has added a number of accolades to his cabinet since joining Bayern Munich three years ago, but none means more to him than leading his country to the World Cup.
With his scoring level, no defense in the world can stop Kane’s shot.
Prediction: England tops the group
This team is too good for this group. The match away to Croatia is the only match that carries any real risk, and England must take that risk.
Ghana: 2026 World Cup Preview, Star Player, Prediction
trainer: Carlos Queiroz
eligible: Winners of the first group in CAF
Best World Cup: Quarter-finals (2010)
Ghana has a history in the World Cup. The 2010 quarter-final, with its handballs, tears and missed penalties, 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 have reached the World Cup for the fifth time after going through a difficult preparatory period. A dominant playoff campaign signaled a team on the rise, but momentum collapsed in the months leading up to the Finals.
The sacking of Otto Adu led to the appointment of the experienced Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz, a man who had previously coached Iran, Egypt and Saudi Arabia on the world stage.
The team’s confirmation brought several notable absentees. Mohammed Kudus will miss the tournament due to injury, a major blow to Ghana’s best creative outlet.
Mohammed Salisu is also absent with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, weakening a defensive unit that conceded just six goals during the qualifiers.
The midfield is anchored by Villarreal’s Thomas Partey, whose 56 international appearances and 15 goals underscore his importance on the pitch. Its listing comes despite pending legal proceedings in the UK. He has pleaded not guilty.
Jordan Ayew leads the team and reaches the World Cup finals for the third time. He scored seven goals and contributed seven assists in the playoffs. Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao) and Ernest Nima (Lyon) add pace to the attacking line.
Star player: Simenho is preparing to conclude his amazing career
Semenyu scored 11 goals in 27 matches for Manchester City following his £62.5m move from Bournemouth in January, helping City lift the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.
He is quick, direct and capable of producing moments of individual brilliance that can open up any defence.
With Kudos gone, this is now unequivocally Semenyu’s championship.
Prediction: Ghana competes for second place
The Croatia match scheduled for next June 27 in Philadelphia may determine who will join England from this group. Ghana has the talent to cause an upset. Queiroz has the experience to prepare them to do just that.
Panama: 2026 World Cup Preview, Star Player, Prediction
trainer: Thomas Christiansen
eligible: CONCACAF (automatic qualification)
Best World Cup: Group stage (2018)
Panama was defeated 6-1 by England in its first appearance in the 2018 World Cup. It lost all three of its matches 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 former Leeds coach Thomas Christiansen, they rose from 81st in the FIFA World Rankings to 33rd during an incredible six-year journey, reaching an all-time high of 29th in late 2025.
Their qualifying campaign saw them pick up four wins out of four in the first CONCACAF group stage, then go unbeaten in the second group stage to secure their place in North America with enough room to spare.
The team is built around a reliable core: Amir Murillo at right-back (currently playing for Marseille in Ligue 1), Anibal Godoy in midfield, and Yoel Bárcenas providing creativity.
Veteran striker Alberto Quintero, 38, has earned his place after missing the 2018 World Cup due to injury. A full circle moment for the attacker.
Star player: Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla
Carrasquilla was named the 2023 Gold Cup Player of the Year and established himself as one of Panama’s most consistent players.
He controls the tempo, can open up defenses with a through ball and provides the creative link between Godoy’s defensive and attacking work.
Prediction: Panama exit
They won’t win this group. But they won’t roll over either. Ghana’s opening match in Toronto is their winningest match. A point would be a major result.
Expected schedule for the 2026 World Cup Group L
| victories | He paints | losses | points | |
| England | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Croatia | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Ghana | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Panama | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
