England will head to North America as one of the favourites and begin their campaign in a group with some old European foes, who will be led by one of the all-time greats. 

DAZN News takes a look at Group L, examining the teams, players and big games across the opening stage of World Cup 2026.  

World Cup Group Guides 

• Group A 
• Group B
• Group C
• Group D
• Group E
• Group F
• Group G
• Group H
• Group I
• Group J
• Group K
• Group L 

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Can Harry Kane win another Golden Boot?

All his goals from World Cup 2018

 

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Group L - at a glance 

• England  
• Croatia  
• Panama 
• Ghana 

Fixtures

Predicted qualifiers 

It's one of the trickier groups to predict, but still one England should be looking at topping, with Croatia strong favourites to take the runners-up spot. Although Ghana should not be underestimated. 

The Teams 

England 

World Ranking: 4
Best World Cup: Winners, 1966

England head into the summer in possibly the best shape they've ever been in ahead of a World Cup finals. 

Over the past eight years, they've reached a World Cup semi-final, two Euros finals and qualified for this tournament with a 100% qualifying record, without conceding a single goal. 

The Three Lions have a captain and striker who's the most deadly in Europe and a squad bursting with talent, especially in attack, where they are spoilt for choice for number 10s. 

It's now up to Thomas Tuchel to harness all that and finally deliver on the pitch and end England's long, long wait to be world champions again. 

Key man - Harry Kane 

The England skipper is in the form of his life for Bayern Munich, where he's ripping up Bundesliga records on route to another league title. A strong showing in the States could put him into contention for this year's Ballon d'Or. 

Manager - Thomas Tuchel 

The FA's hired gun to deliver football's ultimate prize. Tuchel is a serial winner and has been appointed with the sole focus of finally ending England's 60 years of hurt. 

Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images

Croatia  

World Ranking: 10
Best World Cup:  Runners-up 2018 

A team that continues to punch above its weight in international football, given the size of the population, Croatia love major international tournaments and they are raring to go once again for 2026. 

This summer will be extra emotional as it's expected to be the final dance for their greatest-ever player, so how far can the 2018 runners-up go in North America? 

Well, given they sailed through their qualifying campaign unbeaten, they'll once again be ones to avoid and there will be much to learn from the opener against England. 

The squad still boasts many of the Croats' familiar names, but there's a mix of the next generation, too, particularly in midfield, where many have been some of the best performers in Serie A this season. 

Key man - Luka Modric 

Still going strong at 40, Modric has been conducting Milan's midfield for most of the season but will weave his magic one last time on the international stage for his country. 

Manager - Zlatko Dalić

Closing in on a decade in charge of the national team, it was Dalic who led Croatia to the final in 2018 and is seen as Croatia's greatest ever manager. 

Getty Images

Ghana   

World Ranking: 72
Best World Cup: Quarter-finals, 2010 

The Black Stars' run to the quarter-finals in 2010 now feels a lifetime ago, so how good are the current Ghana generation heading to the States? 

They finished top of their qualifying group to get to the World Cup, losing only one game in a group that featured Mali and Madagascar. 

The squad still features the familiar names of Jordan Ayew and Thomas Partey, but the team has been given a new thrust with the likes of Mohamed Kudus and Kamaldeen Sulemana and they are capable of hurting anyone on their day.

The question is do they have enough to best either one of the European heavyweights in their group? 

Key man - Antoine Semenyo 

After making the switch to Manchester City in January, Semenyo took his game to the next level and Ghana will be hoping he can take form in the finals because he can make all the difference. 

Manager - Carlos Queiroz

It wouldn't be a World Cup without the globe-trotting former Manchester United assistant boss. Querioz is back once again with his NINETH international post, looking to upset the European big-hitters. 

Getty

Panama 

World Ranking: 30
Best World Cup:  Group stage, 2018 

A second World Cup for Panama, who face England once again at the group stages, as they did in Russia.

Eight years ago, they were hit for six by the Three Lions, but this is a much-improved side and one that qualified from their CONCACAF group without losing a game in the third stage. 

They're a squad that comes from a electic mix of clubs, largely from the Americas, but stretches across Europe too - including Norwich City's José Córdoba. 

They go into the summer as the group underdogs, but with a world ranking of 30 they won't be easily swept aside this time around. 

Key man - Amir Murillo

A hugely experienced defender, with 90 caps for his country, has played in Belgium with Anderlecht and spent three seasons with Marseille in Ligue 1 but is now with Besiktas. 

Manager - Thomas Christiansen

The former Leeds United boss has been in charge since 2020 and has taken charge of more games as the coach of Panama than any other manager in their history. 

Getty

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