World Cup 2026 Group L Preview | England, Croatia Odds & Tips

Last Updated on 19/05/2026 by Andy Clark

England are heading into another World Cup with high hopes of breaking that now 60-year trophyless run. The tournament is on North American soil, but there is a genuine feeling in the camp that Thomas Tuchel’s squad can go deep. Group L is where it all starts — and on paper, it’s the cleanest path through the group stage of any major contender.

This preview covers all four Group L nations in depth — England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama — with full odds breakdowns, tactical analysis, the standout players to watch, fixture schedule in UK time, and our group predictions plus betting tips.

For England’s full outright odds across every UK bookmaker (including the standout 15/2 with PricedUp), see our England World Cup 2026 odds page. For the wider tournament, see our World Cup 2026 hub.

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Group L Winner Odds — England Heavy Favourites

Team	Group L Winner Odds	To Qualify Odds
England	2/7	1/100
Croatia	7/2	1/5
Ghana	9/1	1/2
Panama	33/1	7/4

Odds correct at time of writing. Subject to change. 18+. T&Cs apply.

England are clear favourites to top Group L at 2/7 — short odds reflecting both the squad quality and the expanded 48-team format that makes qualification near-certain for top sides. Croatia at 7/2 represent reasonable each-way value for those who fancy a 2018-style upset; Ghana at 9/1 are a genuine outsider with deeper African qualifying credentials than the price suggests.

Group L Fixtures — Full Schedule in UK Time

Matchday	Date	Kick-Off (BST)	Fixture	Venue
MD1	Wednesday 17 June	9:00pm	England vs Croatia	AT&T Stadium, Dallas
MD1	Thursday 18 June	12:00am	Ghana vs Panama	BMO Field, Toronto
MD2	Tuesday 23 June	9:00pm	England vs Ghana	Gillette Stadium, Boston
MD2	Wednesday 24 June	12:00am	Panama vs Croatia	BMO Field, Toronto
MD3	Saturday 27 June	10:00pm	Panama vs England	MetLife Stadium, New York/NJ
MD3	Saturday 27 June	10:00pm	Croatia vs Ghana	Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

The simultaneous Saturday night kickoffs on Matchday 3 (both at 10pm BST) provide the classic group-stage finale — qualification picture resolved across both pitches in real time.

For the complete tournament schedule, including kick-off times for every Group L match plus England’s path to the final, see our England World Cup 2026 fixtures and UK kick-off times guide.

England: Tuchel’s Three Lions Eye History

England arrive in North America as one of the front-runners to lift a first World Cup trophy since 1966 — 60 years since Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick against West Germany at Wembley. The most talented squad in 30 years, managed by a Champions League winner, with a manageable group — the conditions for England’s deepest tournament run in decades are firmly in place.

Thomas Tuchel took charge on 1 January 2025, succeeding Gareth Southgate after consecutive Euros final defeats in 2020 (penalties to Italy) and 2024 (Spain). Tuchel — the 2021 Champions League winner with Chelsea — represents England’s clearest tactical upgrade in years. He’s pragmatic where Southgate was cautious, aggressive in his pressing, where England has historically been passive, and proven in knockout football, where England has historically wobbled.

Qualification was authoritative: England were the first European nation to confirm their 2026 spot, going unbeaten through the UEFA group with 5-0 thrashings of Serbia and Latvia among the highlights. The Tuchel era starts at a higher base than Southgate’s ever reached.

England’s Squad

Captain Harry Kane anchors the side as England’s all-time leading scorer with 78+ international goals, having overtaken Wayne Rooney’s record of 53 in March 2023. The 2018 World Cup Golden Boot winner is the player around whom the entire England attack is built.

The supporting cast is the deepest England has had in a generation:

In midfield: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
In attack: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Marcus Rashford or Eberechi Eze as wider options
In defence: John Stones (Manchester City), Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Levi Colwill, Trent Alexander-Arnold
In goal: Jordan Pickford remains the first choice

The squad depth has improved since the Euros in France, with the midfield bursting with talent and competition mounting for places with key players such as Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham returning to fitness in time for the tournament. Much, however, may hinge on the fitness of Harry Kane, with the striker’s position being the only weakness in terms of backup options.

England’s Outlook

A well-rested, confident England out of a comfortable group stage is far more dangerous than one that scrapes through. Three wins, top of the group, into the Round of 32 with momentum — that has to be the target.

For full England outright betting analysis, including the standout 15/2 price at PricedUp, see our England World Cup 2026 odds page.

Croatia: Modrić’s Final World Cup Stand

This is, almost certainly, Luka Modrić’s final World Cup. The 40-year-old captain — Ballon d’Or winner in 2018 — moved from Real Madrid to AC Milan in July 2025 with the explicit aim of staying sharp for a third consecutive World Cup tournament. He’s playing for legacy now, not contract.

Croatia have made every World Cup matter since their 1998 debut: third place that year (Davor Šuker’s Golden Boot), runners-up in 2018 (lost 2-4 to France in Moscow), and third place again at Qatar 2022 (beat Morocco 2-1 in the play-off). They are the smallest-population side ever to reach a senior World Cup final — Croatia’s roughly 4.1 million inhabitants.

Croatia’s Squad

The squad’s identity remains tied to its midfield: Modrić alongside Mateo Kovačić, with Joško Gvardiol the rising centre-back leader anchoring the defence. Ivan Perišić, while past his peak, remains involved as an experienced wide option.

The team is in transition. The 2018 finalists are mostly gone; this is a different Croatia from the one that broke English hearts in Moscow. But the spine remains world-class, and the tactical system under Zlatko Dalić — Croatia’s longest-serving manager in history, in charge since 7 October 2017 — is one of the most familiar and well-drilled in the tournament.

England vs Croatia — The Box Office Opening Fixture

The Matchday 1 fixture carries genuine narrative weight. Croatia beat England 2-1 after extra time in the 2018 World Cup semi-final at Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow — Mario Mandžukić’s 109th-minute goal sending Croatia to their first World Cup final and ending Gareth Southgate’s first major tournament run. Eight years later, with Tuchel replacing Southgate and Modrić in his final cycle, both sides arrive looking to settle old scores.

The key for England is patience. Croatia will invite pressure and look to punish on the break. An early goal settles the nerves and changes the game. If it stays tight past the hour mark, expect Croatia to fancy their chances from a set piece — exactly the pattern that broke England in 2018.

England vs Croatia match odds:

Outcome	Odds
England to win	7/10
Draw	14/5
Croatia to win	19/5

One to watch: Luka Modrić — as he closes in on a staggering 200 international caps, this is his last World Cup and he’ll want to go out with a statement performance against the same opponents he eliminated in 2018.

For matchday-specific bet builder ideas across the World Cup, see our bet builder tips hub.

Ghana: The Match to Circle

Ghana could provide one of the most dangerous sides in Group L. The Black Stars topped CAF Group I unbeaten with 25 points in qualification and will appear at their fifth World Cup (after 2006, 2010, 2014, 2022). But the campaign hit turbulence in April when the Ghana Football Association dismissed Otto Addo — the first coach to guide Ghana to two consecutive World Cup qualifications — and on 14 April 2026 appointed Portuguese veteran Carlos Queiroz with just over two months until kickoff.

Queiroz is a vastly experienced international tournament manager (Iran, Egypt, Colombia, Portugal) but has limited preparation runway with this Ghana squad. A mid-cycle managerial change two months before a World Cup is a serious test of cohesion.

Ghana’s Squad

Ghana rely on pace and directness in attack. Their qualifying campaign was anchored by:

Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City) — the standout attacking talent
Mohammed Kudus (Tottenham) — Ghana’s most dangerous creative force IF fit
Iñaki Williams (Athletic Club) — pace and movement in the front line, fitness depending
Abdul Fatawu — Premier League experience and pace
Jordan Ayew — vastly experienced senior leader
Thomas Partey (former Arsenal) — anchors the midfield

The 2010 quarter-final in South Africa remains Ghana’s high-water mark, within a Luis Suárez handball and an Asamoah Gyan extra-time penalty miss of becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final.

One to Watch — Ibrahim Osman

Birmingham City’s 21-year-old winger Ibrahim Osman has been turning heads since arriving on loan from Brighton and could prove a handful for Group L’s full-backs — England included. Pace, directness, willingness to take defenders on. If Queiroz includes him in the matchday squads, he’s the type of player who can turn a tight Group L match in 30 seconds.

England vs Ghana — Tuchel’s Rotation Opportunity

A confident, expansive England performance leading to a win here — especially if Croatia has already been dealt with — would allow Tuchel to rest key players before heading into the knockouts. England should win this comfortably, but Ghana have the pace to make it interesting if the Three Lions are complacent.

Panama: Get the Job Done

Panama are the lowest-ranked side in Group L. England fans will remember the 6-1 in Russia 2018 — Harry Kane’s hat-trick — and expect something similar, but do not count on it. Panama have improved meaningfully since 2018.

The team returns under the longest-serving coach in its history: Thomas Christiansen, the Danish-born former Bundesliga top scorer (Bochum 2002-03) who has been in charge since 2020 and qualified the side unbeaten across the second and third rounds of CONCACAF qualifying. Christiansen previously managed Leeds United and Union Saint-Gilloise.

Panama have reached three CONCACAF Gold Cup finals (2005, 2013, 2023) and were runners-up at the 2024-25 CONCACAF Nations League. They’ve recently beaten South Africa, Jamaica and hosts USA. This is not the Panama that lost 6-1 to England in Russia.

Panama’s Squad

Captain Aníbal Godoy (Sporting CP) leads a squad including:

Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla — 2023 Gold Cup Best Player
Amir Murillo (Marseille) — vastly experienced fullback
José Córdoba (Norwich City) — Premier League-level defender
Cecilio Waterman — attacking threat

One to Watch — Ismael Díaz

28-year-old Ismael Díaz scored 6 goals in 4 games at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and the Liga MX (Club León) forward will hope to add to his international tally by opening his Panama World Cup account this summer. Clinical finisher; the kind of player who will punish any complacency from England’s rotated XI in Matchday 3.

Panama vs England — England’s Rotation Match

Panama will be compact, very physical, and proud. England will need to be efficient in the face of the low block.

By game three, England will ideally be through already and rotating. That makes this the chance for fringe players to make a case for themselves heading into the knockouts — and the riskier match of the three if Tuchel makes too many changes.

Group L Predictions — Our Final Standings

Our predicted Group L final table:

Position	Team	Predicted Outcome
1st	England	Win all three matches, into Round of 32 with momentum
2nd	Croatia	Experience and tactical familiarity edge them past Ghana
3rd	Ghana	Best-third-place qualification still possible in 48-team format
4th	Panama	Improved but ultimately outclassed by the top three

Group L Betting Tips

1. England to top Group L at 2/7 — short but realistic. The squad and manager combination is the strongest of any group winner across the 12 groups. This is a leg to add to a group winners accumulator with the Betfred World Cup offers.

2. England vs Croatia draw at 14/5 — value if you suspect Tuchel will be cautious in the opening fixture against opponents who’ve already beaten England at a World Cup.

3. Accumulator: Croatia to qualify at 1/5 — short, but as the second seed, Croatia advancing to the Round of 32 is near-certain given the 48-team format expanding qualification beyond just top two.

4. Ghana as best-third-place qualifier — interesting longer-priced market for those willing to look beyond the top-two qualification picture.

For Premier League-style match betting across every Group L fixture as the tournament unfolds, see our bet builder tips hub. For accumulator combinations across multiple group matches, see our football accumulator tips.

Free Bets for Group L Betting

Multiple UK bookmaker welcome offers can be deployed on Group L outright markets and individual matches:

Bookmaker	Welcome Offer	Code	Best For
PricedUp World Cup offer	New customer offer	—	Standout 15/2 on England outright
Betfred	Bet £10 Get £50 Free Bets	BETFRED50	Biggest welcome offer
BoyleSports	Bet £10 Get £40	No code	Bet Builder Boost on group matches
bet365	Bet £10 Get £30	No code	Live streaming + 2 Goals Ahead Payout
Coral	Bet £5 Get £30	No code	Low qualifying stake
Ladbrokes	Bet £5 Get £30	No code	Low qualifying stake

For the full World Cup 2026 free bets comparison plus tournament-specific betting promotions, see our World Cup 2026 free bets hub.

How England Can Progress Beyond Group L

Three wins, top of the group, into the Round of 32 with momentum — that must be the target for Thomas Tuchel’s side. The squad depth has improved since the Euros, with a midfield bursting with talent and competition mounting for places.

Topping Group L matters enormously beyond just the symbolic value. As group winners, England get the more favourable Round of 32 path (typically a third-placed team) and avoid the toughest seeds until the deeper knockout rounds. Finishing second would mean a tougher Round of 32 match and a potentially much harder path through the bracket.

For England’s full knockout path scenarios and the route to the MetLife Stadium final on 19 July, see our England World Cup 2026 fixtures and path to the final.

Group L Preview FAQs

Which World Cup group are England in?

England are in Group L at the 2026 World Cup, alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama.

When is England’s first World Cup 2026 match?

England’s opening match is England vs Croatia on Wednesday 17 June, 9pm BST at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. The fixture is a repeat of the 2018 World Cup semi-final.

Are England favourites to win Group L?

Yes. England are 2/7 favourites to top Group L, with Croatia second favourites at 7/2, Ghana at 9/1 and Panama the outsiders at 33/1.

What time does England vs Croatia kick off in the UK?

9pm BST on Wednesday 17 June 2026. The match is at AT&T Stadium, Dallas.

What time does England vs Ghana kick off in the UK?

9pm BST on Tuesday 23 June 2026. The match is at Gillette Stadium, Boston.

What time does Panama vs England kick off in the UK?

10pm BST on Saturday 27 June 2026. The match is at MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey — the stadium that will also host the World Cup final on 19 July.

Will England qualify from Group L?

Almost certainly. England are priced at 1/100 to qualify from Group L — essentially a near-certainty given squad quality and the expanded 48-team format. A group-stage exit would be one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history.

What odds are Croatia to beat England?

Croatia to beat England in the opening match is priced at around 19/5. The Three Lions are favourites at 7/10 with the draw available at 14/5. Use the Coral World Cup welcome offer to get £30 in free bets when you bet £5 on any game.

Can Ghana qualify from Group L?

Ghana are priced at 1/2 to qualify from Group L — reasonable given the expanded 48-team format which sees three teams progress from most groups plus the best third-placed sides. Realistically, Ghana’s path is finishing third with a strong points haul.

Who are the key players in Group L?

The standout names are Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham (England), Luka Modrić and Joško Gvardiol (Croatia), Antoine Semenyo and Mohammed Kudus if fit (Ghana), and Adalberto Carrasquilla and Ismael Díaz (Panama).

Which Group L team has the best chance of an upset?

Croatia. They’ve reached the World Cup final (2018) and a semi-final (2022) in the last two tournaments, and they beat England 2-1 in extra time in the 2018 semi-final. Tactically experienced, technically excellent, and motivated by Modrić’s final tournament — they’re the team most likely to disrupt England’s group stage.

Where can I watch Group L matches in the UK?

Group L matches will be broadcast across BBC and ITV in the UK, with each broadcaster sharing rights across the 104-match tournament. Specific broadcaster allocation for each Group L fixture will be confirmed closer to the tournament.

Can I bet on Group L with a free bet?

Yes — any Group L outright market is eligible for new customer free bets at UK bookmakers. Use an each-way free bet on Croatia at 7/2 to top Group L if you want some value beyond the heavy England favouritism. See our World Cup 2026 free bets hub for current welcome offers.