2026 World Cup Group L preview, predictions

Jim Reineking, USA TODAYSun, June 7, 2026 at 11:30 AM UTC

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England will be on the short list of 2026 World Cup favorites, but standing in the way in Group L will be Croatia.

40-year-old Luka Modric — the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner after helping Croatia reach that year's World Cup final — is back for his fifth World Cup, and his Croatia squad figures to be a worthy challenger for England.

England, meanwhile, will be striving to win its first World Cup since 1966. Could England end its 60-year World Cup drought in the United States as the country celebrates its 250th birthday?

Here is a breakdown of Group L:

World Cup Group L teamsCroatia

Croatia doesn't get mentioned enough in "World Cup favorites" conversations, but the squad with the iconic checkerboard jerseys is a force to be reckoned with on the international stage. Croatia was World Cup runner-up in 2018 and finished third in Qatar in 2022. In addition, Croatia was a finalist in the 2023 UEFA Nations League competition. Winning a trophy has been elusive, but it's a safe bet Croatia will be a thorn in the side of Group L favorite England, and then a tough out in the knockout stages.

Key players: Joško Gvardiol, Mateo Kovačić, Luka Modrić

England

Will fans of the Three Lions be singing "Football's coming home" all the way to the final on July 19? Playing in the U.S. will be a near home-field experience for England, which has a strong fan following in America. Can the team parlay that support — coupled with a talented squad — into finally getting over the top? It's been 60 years since England's lone World Cup triumph, and anything short of a title this summer will be considered a disappointment.

Key players: Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka

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Ghana

Ghana has been a regular at the World Cup, having qualified for five of the last six tournaments after first playing in the World Cup in 2006. Despite being one of Africa's most consistent squads on the international stage, Ghana opted for chaos before the 2026 World Cup. The team sacked coach Otto Addo just 78 days before the start of the World Cup, replacing him with Carlos Queiroz in a hire announced on April 13.

Key players: Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, Iñaki Williams

Panama

Panama is making just its second World Cup appearance after finishing in 32nd place (out of 32 teams) at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. LosCanaleros face a tough task in Group L, but enter the World Cup after going unbeaten in Concacaf qualifying.

Key players: Adalberto "Coco" Carrasquilla, Ismael Díaz, Anibal Godoy

World Cup Group L schedule

June 17

England vs. Croatia - Dallas, 4 p.m. ET - Fox

Ghana vs. Panama - Toronto, 7 p.m. ET - FS1

June 23

England vs. Ghana - Boston, 4 p.m. ET - Fox

Panama vs. Croatia - Toronto, 7 p.m. ET - Fox

June 27

Panama vs. England - New York/New Jersey, 5 p.m. ET - Fox

Croatia vs. Ghana - Philadelphia, 5 p.m. ET - FS1

World Cup Group L prediction

Predicted order of finish:

England

Croatia

Ghana

Panama

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 World Cup Group L: Preview, predictions, schedule

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Source: “AOL Sports”