Group L features England alongside Croatia , with Ghana and Panama.
ENGLAND –
England qualified as winners of the European Qualifying Group K
In March 2026 friendlies they drew 1-1 with Uruguay before losing 1-0 to Japan on home soil at Wembley.
England are managed by Thomas Tuchel
In goal they have Everton’s Jordan Pickford
The defence includes John Stones, Marc Guéhi and Nico O’Reilly of Manchester City.
Reece James of Chelsea and Ezri Konsa of Aston Villa are also expected to feature.
In Midfield Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid is partnered by Declan Rice of Arsenal. Elliott Anderson of Nottingham Forest, and Brentford’s former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson are also likely to feature.
In attack Harry Kane of Bayern Munich leads the line with Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka. Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon is a threat on he opposite flank to Saka, with Marcus Rashford and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins options for the England manager.
CROATIA –
Croatia qualified as winners of the European Qualifying Group L
In March 2026 friendlies they lost 2-1 to Croatia and 3-1 to France.
Croatia are managed by Zlatko Dalić
Croatia goalkeeper is Dominik Livaković
In defence they have Manchester City’s Joško Gvardiol alongside Bayern Munich’s Josip Stanišić and Luka Vušković. Ajax defender Josip Šutalo is also likely to feature with Crystal Palace’s Borna Sosa.
In midfield Croatia have captain Luka Modric at the age of 40 approaching 200 caps.
Also in midfield Croatia have Mateo Kovačić of Manchester City , Nikola Vlašić formerly of West Ham. Mario Pašalić of Atalanta and Luka Sučić from Real Sociedad may also be included.
In attack Croatia have former Leicester City striker Andrej Kramarić along with the experienced Ivan Perišić, Ante Budimir and Mislav Oršić
GHANA –
Ghana qualified as winners of African Qualifying Group I with some ease.
Ghana failed to qualify for 2025 African Cup of Nations , finishing bottom of Group F as Angola and Sudan qualified.
In March 2026 friendlies Ghana lost 5-1 to Austria and 2-1 to Germany.
Ghana sacked manager Otto Addo 72 days before the World Cup and replaced him Carlos Queiroz formerly of Manchester Utd, Real Madrid and Portugal on 13th April 2026.
In goal they have Benjamin Asare.
The defence includes Gideon Mensah, Alexander Djiku and former Brighton player Tariq Lamptey. They also have Gedeon Kalula whose brother Pierre is a French international.
The midfield has former Arsenal player Thomas Partey alongside Mohammed Kudus of Tottenham.
The attack is led by Antoine Semenyo of Manchester City. Leicester City’s duo Jordan Ayew and Abdul Fatawu also feature.
A threat on the wing is Inaki Willimas of Athletic Bilbao, while his brother and club team mate will be playing for Spain.
PANAMA –
Panama progressed from Round Two of the Concacaf Group D with Nicaragua before winning Group A in Round Three to qualify automatically.
In March 2026 Panama played two friendlies against South Africa drawing 1-1 before winning 2-1.
Panama are managed by Danish former Leeds Utd manager Thomas Christiansen.
Panama have two experienced goalkeepers Orlando Mosquera and his back up Luis Mejía.
The defence they have Eric Davis, Roderick Miller, Andrés Andrade and Norwich City’s José Córdoba
In midfield captain Aníbal Godoy partners Yoel Bárcenas and Adalberto Carrasquilla
The attack has Ismael Díaz, Cecilio Waterman and José Fajardo
Group L Fixtures
17/6/26 9pm England v Croatia
18/6/26 0.00am Ghana v Panama
23/6/26 9pm England v Ghana
24/6/26 0.00am Croatia v Panama
28/6/26 0.30am England v Panama
28/6/26 0.30am Croatia v Ghana
PREDICTIONS
I would expect England and Croatia to qualify easily taking six points from their games with Ghana and Panama , so may both settle for a draw in their opening game with each other.
I would expect England to top the group on goal difference from Croatia.
Ghana should prove too strong for Panama and claim third place
1st Place prediction – England 7pts
2nd Place prediction – Croatia 7pts
3rd Place prediction – Ghana 3pts GD -4
Football is Academical 