Which teams are in Group L at the World Cup 2026?

Group L contains England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama. Each team plays the other three once during the group stage.

How does Group L qualification work?

The top two finishers in Group L qualify automatically for the round of 32. The eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups also advance.

When are the Group L matches played?

All 6 Group L fixtures are listed below with date, kickoff time and host stadium across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

What are the points rules for Group L?

Standard FIFA scoring applies: 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss. Tiebreakers: points, goal difference, goals scored, then head-to-head.

All teams & groups

FIFA World Cup 2026

Group L

England's chance with Croatia's veterans pushing back

Group L is England's chance to set up a friendly draw via a comfortable group win. Croatia bring Euro and World Cup pedigree with Luka Modrić's likely last dance, Ghana return as African football's biggest brand, and Panama complete the field as the surprise CONCACAF qualifier.

Who advances

England are favourites; Croatia are second favourites. Ghana could surprise; Panama are the outsider.

Tactical clash

England's 4-3-3 under Thomas Tuchel against Croatia's classic 4-3-3 around Luka Modrić is the central tactical duel. Ghana bring African dynamism; Panama play a tight, compact 4-4-2.

Market view

England are around 1.50 to top the group and 7.00 to win the tournament. Croatia are around 2.40 to advance.

Team-by-team Group L breakdown

England

Storyline. Euro 2024 runners-up with the deepest English squad since 1996. Tuchel's appointment as head coach has refreshed the tactical identity.

Key player. Jude Bellingham — Real Madrid superstar at 22, the creative and emotional leader of the side.

Prediction. Group winner is the floor; semi-final the median; a first title since 1966 is firmly possible.

Croatia

Storyline. 2018 finalists and 2022 third-place. Likely final tournament for Luka Modrić — the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner has been the spine of the generation since 2014.

Key player. Luka Modrić — even at 40, the metronome and emotional leader of the side.

Prediction. Second place is the median; Round of 16 the realistic ceiling.

Ghana

Storyline. African heavyweight returning after missing 2022. Squad mixes Mohammed Kudus' creative spark with a Premier League and Bundesliga spine.

Key player. Mohammed Kudus — the West Ham attacker is the most creative and direct ball-carrier in the squad.

Prediction. Third place is the median; best-third spot is in play with a result against Croatia.

Panama

Storyline. Second World Cup ever — Panama's Copa América 2024 run took them to the quarter-finals. A compact, organised CONCACAF side.

Key player. Adalberto Carrasquilla — the Pumas UNAM midfielder is the tactical hinge of the team.

Prediction. Bottom of the group is the median expectation — a point against Ghana is the realistic ceiling.

Group L standings & points table

Live World Cup 2026 Group L table — wins, draws, losses, goals for and against, goal difference and points. Updated by the Cup26 editorial team after every match. FIFA scoring: 3 pts for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss.