FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L Preview: English Hope, Luka's Hrvatska Swanson

Last Updated:June 10, 2026, 16:00 IST

England will look to end their sixty-year wait to 'bring the World Cup Home', while Luka Modric would eye another deep-run for his beloved Hrvatska on the global stage

FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L, comprising England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama, is guaranteed to be one of the most competitive groups at the tournament slated to be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico as the world’s biggest spectacle returns.

England, under Thomas Tuchel now, will look to end their sixty-year wait to ‘bring the World Cup Home’, while Luka Modric would eye another deep-run for his beloved Hrvatska on the global stage. Ghana’s Black Stars would look to reclaim their position as the most successful African side at the WC, after being surpassed by Morocco who made it to the semifinal of the previous edition, and Panama, who make their second coming to the quadrennial, will look to post their first ever win.

England

Is It Coming Home?

Thomas Tuchel, who has been handed the reins of the Three Lions, has but one objective at the helm of the English side, abundant with talent across the pitch.

England aim to clinch the coveted title for the first time since their crowning moment in 1966, as Tuchel seeks to lead the English Lions to the promised land.

Former England manager Gareth Southgate helped the Three Lions to deep runs at the World Cup in 2022, where he led the side to a semifinals finish, and the UEFA Euros in 2020 and 2024 as the English side went all the way up to the final before stumbling in the ultimate hurdle.

Full Squad:

Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford, Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Jarell Quansah, John Stones, Marc Guéhi, Dan Burn, Nico O’Reilly, Djed Spence, Tino Livramento, Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Jordan Henderson, Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze, Harry Kane, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke

Manager: Thomas Tuchel

Croatia

Luka Modric has helmed the Croatian revolution that has placed the nation in the headline as the midfield maestro helped Hrvatska to their best ever finish at the quadrennial, a runner-up position, in the 2018 World Cup in Russia and another third-place finish at Qatar in the 2022 edition of it.

Modric, supported by usual suspects including Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, and Mateo Kovacic, would look to take their beloved Hrvatska on yet another deep run at the showpiece to further assert their position in the sport.

Full Squad:

Dominik Livakovic, Dominik Kotarski, Ivor Pandur, Josko Gvardiol, Duje Caleta-Car, Josip Sutalo, Josip Stanisic, Marin Pongracic, Martin Erlic, Luka Vuskovic, Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Mario Pasalic, Nikola Vlasic, Luka Sucic, Martin Baturina, Kristijan Jakic, Petar Sucic, Nikola Moro, Toni Fruk, Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, Ante Budimir, Marco Pasalic, Petar Musa, Igor Matanovic

Manager: Zlatko Dalic

Ghana

Ghana, who made their debut appearance at the spectacle in 2006 in Germany, went on to achieve their best finish at a WC as they were cruelly eliminated in the quarterfinals by Luis Suarez’s Uruguay. Their record of being the African nation with the deepest WC run was rewritten by Morocco in Qatar as they made it all the way to the semifinals of the event before finishing fourth.

Ghana had to endure group stage exits at the 2014 and 2022 editions of the World Cup, but the Black Stars, rich with an abundance of talent in their ranks, would look to script history for the proud African nation.

Full Squad:

Benjamin Asare, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Joseph Anang, Baba Abdul Rahman, Gideon Mensah, Marvin Senaya, Alidu Seidu, Abdul Mumin, Jerome Opoku, Jonas Adjetey, Kojo Oppong Peprah, Derrick Luckassen, Elisha Owusu, Thomas Partey, Kwasi Sibo, Augustine Boakye, Caleb Yirenkyi, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Kamal Deen Sulemana, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Ernest Nuamah, Antoine Semenyo, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Prince Kwabena Adu, Iñaki Williams, Jordan Ayew

Manager: Carlos Queiroz

Panama

Panama, who made their FIFA World Cup debut in Russia 2018, return to the global showpiece in USA, Mexico and Canada, and the Central American nation will look to pick ups their first World Cup win.

Panama were ousted in the group stage on their debut with defeats to Belgium, England and Tunisia, and would look to improve on their showing on the grandest stage.

Full Squad:

Orlando Mosquera, Luis Mejía, César Samudio, César Blackman, Jorge Gutiérrez, Amir Murillo, Fidel Escobar, Andrés Andrade, Edgardo Fariña, José Córdoba, Éric Davis, Jiovany Ramos, Roderick Miller, Aníbal Godoy, Adalberto Carrasquilla, Carlos Harvey, Cristian Martínez, José Luis Rodríguez, César Yanis, Yoel Bárcenas, Alberto Quintero, Azarias Londoño, Ismael Díaz, Cecilio Waterman, José Fajardo, Tomás Rodríguez

Manager: Thomas Christiansen

Fixtures

17 June: Ghana vs Panama, Group L, Toronto Stadium

17 June: England vs Croatia, Group L, Dallas Stadium

23 June: England vs Ghana, Group L, Boston Stadium

23 June: Panama vs Croatia, Group L, Toronto Stadium

27 June: Panama vs England, Group L, New York New Jersey Stadium

27 June: Croatia vs Ghana, Group L, Philadelphia Stadium

Home Bases

Maryland: Croatia (Alexandria)

Rhode Island: Ghana (Smithfield)

Canada: Panama (New Tecumseth)

Missouri/Kansas:  England (Kansas City)

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