World Cup 2026 Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

Group L of World Cup 2026 brings together a heavyweight favorite, a legend on his farewell tour, a revamped African power and a brave Caribbean outsider. England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama will share three June matchdays that promise drama. With our football simulator you can recreate every match, tweak results and discover who advances to the next round. Here is the full breakdown: current head coaches, key players with their 2025/26 clubs, the schedule and the Opta-style forecast.

The Four Teams of Group L

• England (UEFA): the big favorite, led by Thomas Tuchel, with a golden generation chasing their first world title since 1966.
• Croatia (UEFA): runners-up in 2018 and third in 2022, arriving with Zlatko Dalić and the farewell of Luka Modrić, now at AC Milan.
• Ghana (CAF): the Black Stars, now under the experienced Carlos Queiroz, return hungry after missing out in recent stages.
• Panama (CONCACAF): Thomas Christiansen's Canaleros play their second World Cup after debuting in Russia 2018, as the group's clear underdog.

The Schedule: Three June Matchdays

Group L is settled across an intense week, from June 17 to June 27, spread across host cities in the United States and Canada. England open against their most feared rival and close against the outsider, while Croatia and Ghana meet on the final day in what could be a shootout for second place. With our football simulator you can play all three matchdays and watch the table shift.

• Matchday 1 (June 17): England vs Croatia and Ghana vs Panama.
• Matchday 2 (June 23): England vs Ghana and Panama vs Croatia.
• Matchday 3 (June 27): Panama vs England and Croatia vs Ghana.

England: the favorite chasing glory at last

England arrive as the group's big favorite and one of the title contenders. Under Thomas Tuchel, the Three Lions delivered a flawless qualifying campaign and boast an enviable squad: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) as creative engine, Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) as the guaranteed goalscorer, Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) and Phil Foden (Manchester City) on the flanks, plus the flair of Cole Palmer (Chelsea) and the balance of Declan Rice (Arsenal) in midfield. The pressure is immense: England have not won a World Cup since 1966, and Tuchel was hired precisely to break that curse. On paper they should win the group comfortably, but football is not played on paper — test it yourself in the football simulator.

Croatia: Modrić's last dance

Croatia are once again the team nobody wants to face in the group stage. Zlatko Dalić keeps the core that took the nation to the 2018 final and the 2022 third place, and everything points to this being Luka Modrić's last World Cup — now 40 and playing for AC Milan after leaving Real Madrid in 2025. Alongside him, Joško Gvardiol (Manchester City) brings defensive solidity and Mateo Kovačić (Manchester City) anchors the midfield. The Croatian dream is to send off their historic captain with another great World Cup run. Experience and craft make Croatia the second favorite of Group L.

Ghana: Queiroz's African power

Ghana return to the World Cup with an appealing blend of youth and experience, now led by the seasoned Carlos Queiroz, who brings a résumé featuring five World Cups on the touchline. The Black Stars lean on Mohammed Kudus (Tottenham Hotspur), their most decisive star, the dynamism of Iñaki Williams (Athletic Club), the authority of Thomas Partey (Villarreal) in midfield and the experience of captain Jordan Ayew (Leicester City). Ghana reached the quarter-finals in 2010 and dream of being Africa's sensation again. With a strong start, they can go toe-to-toe with Croatia for the second ticket.

Panama: the brave Caribbean dark horse

Panama face their second World Cup after their historic debut in Russia 2018, and they do so with an experienced group led by Spanish-Danish coach Thomas Christiansen. The Canaleros rely on the talent of Adalberto Carrasquilla in creation, the leadership of Aníbal Godoy and the goal instinct of José Fajardo. Nobody considers them favorites, but CONCACAF sides know how to compete, and a 48-team World Cup gives them room to dream. Their realistic goal is to pick up points and pull off an upset against one of the giants. In the football simulator, Panama is the perfect wildcard for lovers of unlikely heroics.

Favorites and Prediction

Opta-style predictive models are clear: England dominate, with a roughly 85-90% chance of advancing and around 65-70% of finishing top of the group. Croatia are the second favorite, with about 55-60% to progress and realistic hopes of first place only if England slip. Ghana hover around 30-40% to qualify, a figure that rises if they win their head-to-head. Panama close the group as clear outsiders, with under 15% to advance, though the best-third-placed format keeps their hopes alive. Do you agree with the machines? Rewrite the script in the football simulator.

"England start as the outright favorite, but Croatia have craft, Ghana have hunger and Panama have nothing to lose: Group L is more open than the odds suggest."

Simulate Group L of World Cup 2026

Now it is your turn. With the Fut Simulator Pro football simulator you can recreate the three Group L matchdays, change line-ups and see whether England fulfil the predictions or whether Modrić signs off with one last masterpiece for Croatia. Our football simulator lets you play the same group a thousand times and uncover every possible scenario, from the most logical to a stunning Panama upset.

• Simulate match by match the three Group L matchdays of World Cup 2026.
• Check whether England advance as winners or whether Croatia and Ghana spring a surprise.
• Adjust results and watch the standings change live.
• Live through Luka Modrić's final World Cup dance with the football simulator.

"The ball is already rolling in your mind: open the football simulator, play Group L and write your own version of World Cup 2026."