England and Croatia lead Group L, with Ghana's revival and debutants Panama hoping to surprise. Full guide to teams, fixtures and predictions.
Group L closes out the draw with a heavyweight European pairing, a proud African nation chasing former glories, and a Concacaf side relishing the home-continent atmosphere. England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama make up a section with two strong favourites and a lively fight for the best-third lifeline. The 2026 group stage is underway, so follow it on live scores and track the live group standings.
Favourites and Dark Horses
England are favourites with one of the deepest attacking pools at the tournament. Croatia are strong contenders for first or second, Ghana are the dark horse capable of an upset, and Panama are the spirited outsiders.
Team-by-Team Breakdown
England
England boast a wealth of attacking riches, led by captain Harry Kane and supported by pace and creativity from the likes of Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham. The squad is deep and experienced after recent deep runs at major tournaments. Topping the group is the firm expectation.
Croatia
Croatia continue to punch above their weight thanks to a world-class midfield engine and big-game temperament. Their experience and ball retention make them dangerous against anyone, and they will see second place, perhaps even first, as very achievable. Age in key areas is the only concern.
Ghana
The Black Stars are rebuilding with exciting young talent and remain a proud World Cup nation. Athletic and direct, they can hurt teams on the break. Consistency is the issue, but at their best they can challenge for second and are firm best-third candidates.
Panama
Panama bring energy, organisation and the buzz of competing on home soil in North America. Compact and combative, they will look to frustrate the favourites and seize their chances. Qualification is a tall order, but they have grown into a side that can cause problems.
Who Advances and the Best-Third-Place Picture
The top two advance automatically, with the eight best third-placed teams across the 12 groups completing the Round of 32. England and Croatia are favourites for the top two, but Ghana have the talent to chase down a slip and, failing that, to target a best-third place likely needing around four points. England to top it, Croatia second, with Ghana firmly in the best-third conversation. Compare every team on all 48 teams.
Key Fixtures to Watch
- England vs Croatia — a marquee fixture likely to decide first place.
- Croatia vs Ghana — pivotal for the runners-up and best-third races.
- Ghana vs Panama — could prove crucial for best-third hopes.
See every kick-off time on the full match schedule.
Predicted Finishing Order
- 1. England — attacking depth tells.
- 2. Croatia — midfield mastery.
- 3. Ghana — best-third contenders.
- 4. Panama — combative outsiders.
FAQ
Are England favourites to win Group L?
Yes. England's strength in depth, particularly in attack, makes them favourites to top Group L, with Croatia their closest challenger.
Can Ghana qualify from Group L?
Yes. Ghana have the attacking talent to push for second, and even a third-place finish could be enough under the 2026 best-third-place rule.
Is this Panama's home World Cup?
The 2026 World Cup is co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico, so Panama enjoy a near-home Concacaf atmosphere even though they are not one of the host nations.