Group L is one of the most intriguing groups of World Cup 2026. England arrive as one of the favourites, with Harry Kane leading the line and a squad full of Premier League stars. Croatia, finalists in 2018, remain a tournament team that nobody enjoys playing. Panama and Ghana are the underdogs, but both have the pace and physicality to cause problems. England against Croatia is the headline fixture, yet the group's real drama may come in the fight for second place and the best third-placed spots.

England: favourites under pressure

England have reached a final and a semi-final in their last two major tournaments, and the expectation now is to win one. The squad is deep, with quality in every position and Kane as the focal point of the attack. England's strength is their balance: they can control games with possession or hit teams on the break. The pressure, though, is enormous, and England have a history of struggling when the whole nation expects success. Winning the group matters, because it should mean an easier path through the knockout rounds.

Croatia: the old guard's last dance

Croatia have been one of the most consistent tournament teams of the last decade, reaching the 2018 final and the 2022 semi-final. Their golden generation is ageing, but their midfield intelligence and tactical discipline remain world class. Croatia know how to manage a tournament: they rarely panic, they are superb in extra time and penalties, and they peak when it matters. Against England they will try to slow the game down and frustrate the favourites. A second-place finish is the minimum expectation for this proud football nation.

Panama: the Central American outsiders

Panama are back at the World Cup and will be desperate to do better than in their debut, when they lost all three games. The team is organised and physical, with players who know each other well and a coach who has built a clear identity. Panama's best hope is to stay compact against England and Croatia and target the game against Ghana as their chance for a first-ever World Cup win. Even a single point would be a historic achievement, and in a 48-team tournament, three points might be enough to reach the knockout stage.

Ghana: pace, power and unpredictability

Ghana bring pace and power to Group L, with a squad full of athletic players based in Europe's top leagues. The Black Stars can be brilliant or chaotic, sometimes in the same match, and that unpredictability makes them dangerous. They have the individual quality to trouble any defence in the group, but their organisation has sometimes let them down at major tournaments. If Ghana find consistency, they can genuinely challenge Croatia for second place. If not, they could finish bottom despite having one of the most talented squads in the group.

Fixtures that will decide the group

England against Croatia is the group decider and one of the best fixtures of the opening round, a rematch of the 2018 semi-final that Croatia won. Ghana against Panama is the underdogs' shootout: the winner keeps qualification hopes alive, the loser is almost certainly out. Croatia against Ghana is a fascinating clash of styles, with Croatia's control against Ghana's pace. England's final group game could be a dead rubber if they have already qualified, which might hand their opponents a lifeline in the race for the best third-placed spots.

Prediction: who goes through

England should top the group, though Croatia will make them work for it. Second place is a genuine toss-up between Croatia and Ghana, with Croatia's experience just edging it. Ghana, though, could still progress as one of the best third-placed teams if they pick up four points. Panama are likely to finish bottom, but they are capable of taking points off Ghana. Our prediction: England first, Croatia second, Ghana third and through as a best third-placed team, Panama fourth.