England face Croatia, Ghana and Panama in World Cup 2026 Group L

England will face Croatia, Ghana, and Panama in Group L of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the Three Lions needing a top-two finish — or a strong third-place record — to advance to the knockout rounds.

The expanded 48-team tournament has introduced a new Round of 32, meaning the eight best third-placed sides across the 12 groups will also progress, giving England a broader safety net than in previous editions.

Croatia — Wednesday, 18 June

England’s opening group opponents are their most storied rivals in recent tournament history. Croatia famously knocked the Three Lions out of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and they arrive in 2026 still equipped with elite technical quality. Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric remains the creative heartbeat of the side, while Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic adds another layer of midfield craft.

Ghana — Tuesday, 23 June (Boston)

The Black Stars represent a different kind of threat. Ghana bring explosive pace, physical presence, and a reputation as one of football’s most unpredictable tournament wildcards. Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo is expected to test England’s defensive line, and Thomas Tuchel’s coaching staff have been warned against underestimating the African side in what is a compressed group window.

Panama — Friday, 27 June (New Jersey)

Panama close out England’s group stage schedule and will be playing with something of a home-continent advantage in the CONCACAF region. The Central Americans are unlikely to be overawed by the occasion and will look to frustrate England in the final group fixture — a match that echoes their 2018 encounter, when England ran out comfortable winners.

England and Croatia are widely regarded as the favourites to claim the top two spots in Group L, but the tournament’s expanded format and the logistical demands of travelling across three host nations — the United States, Canada, and Mexico — add variables that coaching staffs across the competition are carefully managing.

With the World Cup final scheduled for 19 July, England’s path through the group is the first step in what Tuchel will hope is a deep run into the latter stages of the tournament.