FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L Preview: England dare to dream but must navigate a tricky group
England will look at Group L and see opportunity, but they will also know there are potential pitfalls waiting around every corner. The Three Lions arrive in North America carrying genuine belief after a series of strong tournament performances since 2018.
Croatia have made a habit of exceeding expectations on the biggest stage, Ghana possess enough attacking talent to spring a surprise despite recent instability, and Panama continue to grow with every major tournament appearance. On paper, England are favorites. In reality, this group could prove more complicated than it first appears.
England: The Three Lions have the tools to end the drought
Sixty years is a long time in football.
England’s lone World Cup triumph in 1966 has become both a source of pride and a burden. Every generation since has been tasked with ending the wait. Most have fallen short, often in painful fashion.
For years, tournament football seemed to bring only frustration. Then came Gareth Southgate. A World Cup semi-final in 2018 and back-to-back European Championship finals transformed the mood around the national team. England stopped fearing failure and started believing again.
Now the baton has passed to Thomas Tuchel. The German has brought a different edge to the team. His England side is less cautious and more willing to take control of matches. They want the ball, they want to attack, and they are comfortable pressing opponents high up the pitch. Yet Tuchel’s teams have always retained a pragmatic side when the occasion demands it.
The talent available to him is extraordinary. Harry Kane remains the focal point in attack, Jude Bellingham continues to develop into one of the world’s premier midfielders, and Bukayo Saka can unlock defenses in an instant. Behind them sits a deep pool of attacking and midfield options capable of sustaining a lengthy tournament run.
For perhaps the first time in decades, England’s confidence feels justified.
Player to watch: Harry Kane
Kane heads into the World Cup after another prolific campaign with Bayern Munich, scoring 36 Bundesliga goals. Having finally ended his long wait for major club silverware, he will be desperate to do the same with England.
Few strikers combine intelligence, finishing, and leadership quite like Kane, and Tuchel’s attacking approach should provide him with plenty of opportunities.
Croatia: Experience will be key, but they have work to do
Tournament football has become second nature to Croatia. A World Cup final in 2018 and a semi-final appearance four years later ensured the Vatreni established themselves among the elite. Time and again they have shown an ability to rise to the occasion when the stakes are highest.
Zlatko Dalić has built his reputation on creating teams that remain calm under pressure. Croatia typically enjoy controlling possession and dictating the pace of games, but that approach may require adjustment. Several of the players who carried them through previous tournaments are now in the twilight of their careers.
Luka Modrić, Ivan Perišić, and Andrej Kramarić still possess the quality to influence matches, though the physical demands of a World Cup are different now. Fortunately, younger players such as Martin Baturina and Petar Sučić are emerging to shoulder more responsibility.
Finding the right blend between experience and energy could determine Croatia’s fate.
Player to watch: Luka Modrić
At 40 years old, Modrić remains the symbol of Croatian football. The legs may not cover quite as much ground as before, but his vision, composure, and leadership remain invaluable. When Croatia need control in midfield, they will still look to their captain.
Ghana: African giants hope to find stability amid uncertainty
The months leading into the World Cup have been far from smooth for Ghana. Failure to qualify for AFCON 2025 led to significant changes, including the departure of Otto Addo. With time running short before the tournament, the Ghana Football Association turned to veteran coach Carlos Queiroz in search of stability.
The Portuguese manager’s task is clear. Build belief, organize the team, and make them difficult to beat. Queiroz has navigated major tournaments before and is unlikely to encourage reckless football. Expect the Black Stars to remain compact and look to exploit space on the counterattack.
There is enough attacking quality to trouble opponents. Antoine Semenyo has continued his rise in the Premier League, Jordan Ayew remains an experienced presence, and Abdul Fatawu brings unpredictability. The absence of Mohammed Kudus through injury is a major setback, however, and places even greater responsibility on others to step forward.
Ghana may not arrive with momentum, but they have too much talent to be ignored.
Player to watch: Antoine Semenyo
Semenyo’s stock has risen significantly over the past year. After beginning the season with Bournemouth, he earned a move to Manchester City and quickly made an impact, including scoring the decisive goal in the FA Cup final. Powerful, direct, and capable of producing moments of brilliance, he has the tools to trouble even elite defenses.
Panama: The Canaleros are growing in belief
Panama no longer view World Cup qualification as a dream. It has become an expectation. The Canaleros have steadily improved under Thomas Christiansen, who has instilled a proactive style built on intensity and collective discipline. Their run to the Copa América quarter-finals and narrow defeat to Mexico in the CONCACAF Nations League final showed a team comfortable competing against stronger opposition.
While Panama may not possess the star power of some teams in this group, they compensate through organization and work rate. Adalberto Carrasquilla remains the heartbeat of the midfield, while Ismael Díaz provides the cutting edge in attack.
The biggest challenge may be generating enough goals against higher-quality opponents. Yet if recent tournaments have taught us anything, it is that Panama rarely go away quietly.
Player to watch: Ismael Díaz
Díaz has developed a reputation for delivering when the spotlight is brightest. Last year’s Gold Cup Golden Boot winner with six goals, he has repeatedly shown a knack for influencing important matches.
Panama will rely on his pace, movement, and finishing if they are to challenge for a place in the knockout rounds.
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