FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L Preview: England, Croatia, Ghana & Panama

Group L is England’s group, and England arrive with perhaps the most intimidating qualifying record in the tournament: eight wins from eight, zero goals conceded. But the fixture list includes Croatia — the side that ended England’s 2018 World Cup run in the semi-finals — and Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus, one of the most dangerous players in European club football. The group story starts on June 17 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with a genuine rematch of one of the tournament’s great historical pairings.

Croatia’s Golden Generation is entering its final chapter. Luka Modrić will be 40 years old during this tournament, making every Croatia appearance feel like a farewell tour. They have reached a World Cup final (2018) and a third-place finish (2022) — now they face the question of whether one final knockout run is possible.

Group L at a Glance

England — Perfect Qualifying Record, Zero Goals Conceded

England’s qualifying campaign was historically dominant: eight matches, eight wins, zero goals conceded. Manager Gareth Southgate’s successor (Thomas Tuchel, appointed 2024) has overhauled the tactical system from the possession-heavy Euro 2024 approach to a higher-pressing, more vertical game built around Jude Bellingham’s dynamism. The Marc Guéhi – Ezri Konsa central defensive partnership provides both defensive solidity and ball-playing quality. England’s xG differential in qualifying was the highest of any European nation: +2.4 per game.

Projected xG per match:

• vs. Croatia (June 17): 1.9 scored / 0.9 conceded
• vs. Ghana (June 23): 2.3 scored / 0.8 conceded
• vs. Panama (June 27): 3.1 scored / 0.4 conceded

Croatia — A Golden Generation’s Last Dance

Modrić, now 40, remains Croatia’s heartbeat — his passing range, press resistance, and reading of the game are undiminished even at this age. Ivan Perisić, Mateo Kovačić, and Marcelo Brozović form a midfield unit that is tactically sophisticated beyond most rivals. Croatia won seven of eight qualifying matches and beat Colombia in a March 2026 friendly that served as a genuine barometer. Their biggest question is scoring goals — they lack the elite finisher their system demands at the highest level.

Projected xG per match:

• vs. England (June 17): 0.9 scored / 1.9 conceded
• vs. Panama (June 23): 2.3 scored / 0.6 conceded
• vs. Ghana (June 27): 1.6 scored / 1.4 conceded

Ghana — The Kudus Factor

Mohammed Kudus’s injury recovery timeline heading into the tournament is the most important medical storyline in Group L. When fit, the West Ham forward is one of Europe’s most unpredictable attackers — direct, powerful, and capable of moments of individual brilliance that can change a match. Ghana’s squad beyond Kudus is solid rather than spectacular, with a 4-2-3-1 system that relies heavily on his creativity from the right. If Kudus is at full fitness, Ghana can upset Croatia and challenge England.

Projected xG per match:

• vs. Panama (June 17): 1.8 scored / 0.9 conceded
• vs. England (June 23): 0.8 scored / 2.2 conceded
• vs. Croatia (June 27): 1.3 scored / 1.5 conceded

Panama — Compact and Disruptive

Panama qualify for their third World Cup — after Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 — and their brand of compact, disciplined defending has earned them hard-fought points against much stronger sides. Coach Tomás Boy’s 5-4-1 system prioritises defensive structure and set-piece threats in both boxes. Panama’s physical intensity will frustrate Ghana, but England and Croatia should have enough quality to break them down over 90 minutes.

Projected xG per match:

• vs. Ghana (June 17): 0.8 scored / 1.7 conceded
• vs. Croatia (June 23): 0.5 scored / 2.2 conceded
• vs. England (June 27): 0.3 scored / 3.0 conceded

Key Match: England vs. Croatia (June 17, AT&T Stadium)

The 2018 semi-final rematch. Croatia beat England 2-1 in extra time in Moscow to reach the World Cup final — a result that haunts English football to this day. This time, England arrive with a far superior squad and a more dynamic tactical system. But Modrić’s ability to control tempo could neutralise England’s pressing game if Croatia sit compact and build through the middle. Bellingham vs. Modrić is the midfield duel that will define the match.

Model probabilities: England win 58% — Draw 22% — Croatia win 20%

Qualification Prediction

FAQ

Q.Can Croatia really compete with England in 2026?

On the current evidence, yes — but only if Modrić can perform at near-peak level. Their tactical discipline and midfield intelligence make them structured opponents for any team, and their 2018 and 2022 tournament runs showed an ability to elevate in knockouts beyond group-stage form. England are heavy favourites, but a Croatia team at their best remains capable of the draw or upset result their history suggests.

Q.Is Mohammed Kudus fit for the World Cup?

As of the tournament kick-off, Kudus has returned to full training following the hamstring issue that kept him out in spring 2026. Ghana’s medical staff confirmed he will be available for the group stage, though his workload may be managed early. If he reaches 90 minutes against Croatia and England, he is one of the group’s most dangerous individual talents.

Q.Why does the England vs. Croatia opener matter so much?

Beyond the historical 2018 rematch narrative, the opener sets the psychological tone for both sides’ tournament. An England win effectively ends Croatia’s realistic path to first place and puts them under pressure for the Panama match. A Croatia draw or win upends Group L completely and gives Ghana a pathway to second. The match is a genuine pressure test for both teams before they’ve found their tournament rhythm.

Q.Could Panama or Ghana advance as third-placed qualifiers?

Panama almost certainly not — their ceiling against England and Croatia is a single point. Ghana is a genuine best-third candidate if they beat Panama and keep the margins against England and Croatia tight. Finishing third with 3 points and a decent goal difference is realistic if Group L produces close results, and the eight-best-third-places rule makes it achievable without winning two matches.

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Sources: Wikipedia – 2026 FIFA World Cup Group L · RotoWire Group L Preview · England Football