World Cup 2026 Group L preview: Prediction, odds, full team overviews

The Group of Death concept is a casualty of the expanded 48-team field at this World Cup, but Group L may come close. With title hopefuls England along with Croatia, Ghana and minnows Panama, this quartet figures to be a dogfight.

The Post previews Group L at the World Cup.

Teams listed in predicted order of finish. * indicates third-place team predicted to advance to the knockout stage.

England

Odds to win the group: -280

What you need to know: England’s wait for a major trophy hits its 60th anniversary this summer, and the expectations around this team are to end it. The Three Lions have been on the cusp ever since a semifinal appearance at the 2018 World Cup, making two European finals and losing in extra time in the quarters in 2022, but it’s starting to feel like now or never. Hiring Thomas Tuchel as manager for this cycle after a highly successful tenure from Gareth Southgate marked a statement of intent. The squad is as talented as it has ever been, with a group of stars including Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice. The pressure is on.

How they play: One of the criticisms of England under Southgate was that it was often boring to watch. That’s less the case under Tuchel. England now looks more tactically sound and more able to adjust on the fly, while still willing to play a physical game when conditions dictate.

Star player: Bellingham is a lightning rod for the English media, and the 22-year-old may make or break England’s tournament, but it’s impossible not to have Kane here. The 2018 Golden Boot winner is still on the short list of the world’s best scorers at age 32, having put forth a domineering 36-goal league campaign for Bayern Munich. This figures to be his last World Cup with a major role to play for England.

World Cup history: Winners on home soil in 1966, England’s general vibe since then has been extreme hype without much follow-through. An epic group-stage crashout in 2014 was the nadir, but since then, England has surged back into competitiveness. This year, it feels like win-or-bust.

Croatia

Odds: +320

What you need to know: This World Cup feels like the last dance for the core of players that helped get Croatia to the 2018 final and the 2022 semifinal. Luka Modric is 40, Ivan Perišic is 37, Andrej Kramaric is 34. Even so, you’d be foolish to count Croatia out. The veterans are still going strong, and there’s enough younger talent — highlighted by midfielders Martin Baturina and Petar Susic, along with center back Joško Gvardiol — that Croatia won’t be solely dependent on aging players.

How they play: Zlatko Dalic has coached Croatia since 2017, so the identity is well-established. Croatia wants to play with the ball and control the pace. That’s particularly important now, given that as an older side, running around for 90 minutes in the North American heat may not suit it.

Star player: It feels cliché to say Modric but, well, it’s Modric. Even at 40, even past the peak of his powers, the former Ballon d’Or winner can still control a game from the midfield, and is looked to as a leader within the team. Getting a result for him in his last World Cup (it has to be, right?) will be extremely motivating for Croatia.

World Cup history: Since achieving independence in 1991, Croatia has punched well above its weight at the World Cup. The Balkan nation of just under 4 million has been on the podium three times, including each of the past two World Cups, and is the country with the second-smallest population to reach the tournament’s final.

Ghana*

Odds: 11/1

What you need to know: Ghana’s failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations during the winter, coupled with a series of losses in friendlies, led the federation to fire coach Otto Addo and replace him with Carlos Queiroz less than three months out from the World Cup. Given the talent in the squad, with Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo and Mohammed Kudus among the weapons in attack, Ghana should make a mockery of its 72nd-overall FIFA ranking. Still, the results haven’t quite been there.

How they play: Queiroz’s first games in charge were Ghana’s pre-World Cup friendlies, so there’s a bit of mystery here, but the Portuguese manager has a well-worn reputation having managed Portugal, Iran, Colombia, Egypt, Qatar and Oman at the international level. His teams tend to be defensively stout and frustrating to play against, though not particularly fun to watch.

Star player: Semenyo, who moved from Bournemouth to Manchester City in January, should be Ghana’s best player. But he’s scored just three goals for the national team across 30 caps. This World Cup will be a major proving ground for him.

World Cup history: Around these parts, Ghana is mainly known for running into the U.S. in three straight World Cups, eliminating the Americans in 2010. That 2010 quarterfinal appearance, which ended in an extremely controversial loss to Uruguay, is Ghana’s best result at the tournament. After failing to qualify in 2018, the Black Stars exited in the group stage four years ago.

Panama

Odds: 40/1

What you need to know: Minnows in one of the toughest groups of this expanded competition, the odds are stacked against Panama. After some solid results at regional competitions, though, including a CONCACAF Nations League final appearance just last year, Panama will have plenty of belief. It won’t be an easy team to beat, either, with a well-organized defense and plenty of experience.

How they play: Panama played a somewhat more aggressive style during qualifying, when it was the CONCACAF favorite with Mexico, Canada and the U.S. all having qualified automatically as hosts, but that’s unlikely to continue at the World Cup. Thomas Christiansen’s side is more likely to reprise the 5-4-1 it used at the 2024 Copa America and try to win with its defensive structure in a tough group.

Star player: Adalberto Carrasquilla is Panama’s creative engine. The midfielder won the Best Player award at the 2023 Gold Cup, and consistently shows up for the national team. The midfielder’s ability to play long balls figures to be key for Panama’s ability to transition.

World Cup history: This is Panama’s second World Cup, following its inaugural appearance in 2018. Panama lost all three of its games at that tournament, getting outscored 11-2 by Belgium, England and Tunisia.

Group L World Cup schedule

England vs. Croatia, Wed., June 17, 4 p.m., Dallas

Ghana vs. Panama, Wed., June 17, 7 p.m., Toronto

England vs. Ghana, Tues., June 23, 4 p.m., Boston

Panama vs. Croatia, Tues., June 23, 7 p.m., Toronto

Panama vs. England, Sat., June 27, 5 p.m., New York/New Jersey

Croatia vs. Ghana, Sat., June 27, 5 p.m., Philadelphia