Group L brings together one of the tournament favorites, a World Cup specialist, an ambitious African nation, and a Panama side looking to prove they belong on football’s biggest stage.
England enter the group as clear favorites after an impressive qualifying campaign under Thomas Tuchel, while Croatia once again arrive with a squad packed with tournament experience. Ghana will hope to challenge for a knockout-stage place, and Panama will look to cause an upset after earning qualification through a strong CONCACAF campaign.
At FootyFeed, our team has analyzed all four teams ahead of what should be a fascinating Group L battle.
Group L Teams
| Team | FIFA World Cup Appearances | Best Result |
|---|---|---|
| England | 16 | Winners (1966) |
| Croatia | 7 | Runners-up (2018) |
| Ghana | 5 | Quarter-Finals (2010) |
| Panama | 2 | Group Stage (2018) |
Why England Are the Favorites
England arrive at World Cup 2026 with one of the strongest squads in the competition and one of the best defensive records in international football.
Thomas Tuchel’s side were outstanding during qualification, keeping nine clean sheets in ten matches and conceding only 2.1 expected goals across their qualifying campaign. Their defensive organization has become one of their biggest strengths.
Going forward, England possess elite attacking talent. Harry Kane continues to lead the line after another prolific season with Bayern Munich, while Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Declan Rice provide quality throughout the squad.
The Three Lions also benefit from exceptional depth, allowing Tuchel to rotate without significantly weakening the team.
Strengths
✅ Elite squad depth
✅ Outstanding defensive record
✅ Harry Kane’s goalscoring ability
✅ Strong balance between attack and defense
Weaknesses
❌ Pressure and expectations
❌ Recent history of falling short in major tournaments
Croatia Continue to Thrive on Tournament Football
Croatia have become one of the most reliable World Cup teams of the modern era.
While they may not always arrive among the favorites, they consistently outperform expectations. Since 1998, Croatia have either been eliminated in the group stage or reached at least the semi-finals.
Manager Zlatko Dalic continues to rely on experienced leaders such as Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic, players who have repeatedly delivered on the biggest stage.
Modric remains one of the world’s smartest midfielders, while Perisic continues to produce goals and assists in major tournaments.
Croatia’s biggest strength is their experience. Few teams understand tournament football better.
Strengths
✅ Major tournament experience
✅ Strong midfield quality
✅ Excellent game management
✅ Proven World Cup pedigree
Weaknesses
❌ Aging core players
❌ Less squad depth than England
❌ Reliance on veterans
Ghana Looking to Challenge for a Surprise Qualification
Ghana enter the tournament hoping to return to the knockout rounds for the first time since their famous 2010 run.
The Black Stars possess exciting attacking talent and have appointed Carlos Queiroz, a coach known for building organized and disciplined teams.
One of Ghana’s biggest hopes will be Antoine Semenyo, who enjoyed an excellent club season and arrives in strong form. Jordan Ayew also played a crucial role during qualification, contributing both goals and assists.
Defensively, Ghana must improve. They failed to keep a clean sheet in their previous ten World Cup matches, something Queiroz will be desperate to change.
Strengths
✅ Athletic squad
✅ Dangerous attackers
✅ Experienced manager
✅ Strong counterattacking threat
Weaknesses
❌ Defensive inconsistency
❌ Difficult group
❌ Recent World Cup struggles
Panama Hoping to Cause an Upset
Panama may enter Group L as outsiders, but they should not be underestimated.
Their qualification campaign was impressive, and they were one of the few CONCACAF teams to remain unbeaten throughout qualifying.
Unlike their 2018 World Cup appearance, this Panama side prefers an aggressive style of play. They press high, force mistakes, and attempt to disrupt opponents early.
While squad quality remains a concern compared to England and Croatia, Panama could make life difficult for everyone in the group.
Strengths
✅ High pressing system
✅ Strong team spirit
✅ Impressive qualifying campaign
Weaknesses
❌ Limited World Cup experience
❌ Less individual quality
❌ Difficult fixtures against stronger teams
Key Players to Watch
Harry Kane (England)
England’s captain remains one of the most clinical strikers in world football. Kane has already scored eight World Cup goals and is chasing Gary Lineker’s national World Cup scoring record.
Luka Modric (Croatia)
Even at 40 years old, Modric remains Croatia’s heartbeat. His passing, leadership, and experience could once again drive Croatia deep into the tournament.
Antoine Semenyo (Ghana)
After an excellent club season, Semenyo enters the World Cup as Ghana’s biggest attacking threat and one of Africa’s most exciting forwards.
Adalberto Carrasquilla (Panama)
The Panama midfielder is the engine of the team and will be vital if his nation hopes to compete with the group favorites.
Group L Winner Prediction
England possess the strongest squad, the best defensive numbers, and arguably the most balanced team in Group L.
Croatia should once again prove difficult to beat and remain favorites to finish second, while Ghana could push them all the way for a knockout-stage place.
Panama have the potential to surprise, but advancing would require something special.
Predicted Group L Standings
| Position | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | England |
| 2 | Croatia |
| 3 | Ghana |
| 4 | Panama |
Best Bet
✅ England to Win Group L
England combine elite talent, defensive stability, and tournament experience, making them the strongest pick to finish top of the group.
Final Verdict
Group L should provide several highly competitive matches, particularly in the battle behind England.
Croatia’s experience gives them a slight edge over Ghana, but the Black Stars possess enough quality to challenge for qualification. Panama will aim to disrupt the favorites and could influence the final standings.
At FootyFeed, our team expects England to finish top of the group, with Croatia joining them in the knockout rounds.
Final Prediction
🏆 England to Win Group L
🥈 Croatia to Finish Second
🥉 Ghana to Finish Third
4️⃣ Panama to Finish Fourth
