The Teams
Group L Fixtures
Matchday 1
Matchday 2
Matchday 3 (both matches kick off simultaneously)
Group L Preview & Predictions
The Contenders
Group L is England's group, in the sense that they are heavy favorites to top it, but it contains Croatia and the historical weight of England's failure to convert talented squads into tournament victories. Jude Bellingham has developed from talented teenager to complete match-winner, the most complete English player since Paul Scholes. Harry Kane is England's all-time leading scorer and arrives at what may be his best physical condition of any World Cup. Croatia counter with Luka Modrić, whose creative intelligence is still world-class even in his late 30s, alongside Joško Gvardiol's elite defensive quality.
The Wild Cards
Panama make their second-ever World Cup appearance after debuting in 2018, re-establishing themselves as one of CONCACAF's most reliable qualifiers behind the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Ghana's Mohammed Kudus adds attacking sparkle to a Black Stars squad with a point to prove after 2022. Both teams have the individual quality to take points off a complacent seed, and Ghana in particular has the kind of attacking talent that demands respect.
The Key Match
England vs Croatia is not a foregone conclusion, and Croatia's 2018 semi-final victory haunts every England fan approaching this fixture.
Prediction
- England top Group L.
- Croatia qualify as runners-up.
- Ghana push hard for the third-place spot.
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Build My Bracket →Group L FAQ
- Who is in Group L at the 2026 World Cup?
- Group L contains England (FIFA #4), Croatia (FIFA #10), Panama (FIFA #40), and Ghana (FIFA #73). Group L kicks off on Wed, June 17, 2026.
- When does Group L play at World Cup 2026?
- Group L matches run from Wed, June 17, 2026 (Matchday 1) through Sat, June 27, 2026 (Matchday 3). There are six matches in total, two per matchday. Both Matchday 3 matches in each group kick off simultaneously to ensure fairness.
- Where are the Group L matches played at World Cup 2026?
- Group L matches are played at the following venues: AT&T · Dallas, BMO Field · Toronto, Gillette · Boston, MetLife · NY/NJ, Lincoln · Philly. All venues are part of FIFA World Cup 2026's 16-city, tri-nation host setup across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
- Who is the favorite to win Group L at World Cup 2026?
- England (FIFA #4) are the favorites to win Group L. The group is nicknamed "Soccer Coming Home?" by analysts.
- How do teams qualify from the group stage at World Cup 2026?
- The top two teams from each of the 12 groups automatically advance to the Round of 32. The eight best third-place finishers across all 12 groups also advance, making it possible for a team finishing third to still progress. Teams are ranked by points (3 for a win, 1 for a draw), then goal difference, then goals scored.
- Is Jude Bellingham playing at World Cup 2026?
- Yes. Jude Bellingham is playing at FIFA World Cup 2026 with England. England are in Group L alongside Croatia, Panama, and Ghana. Bellingham, who won the Champions League with Real Madrid, is widely considered England's most important player and one of the tournament's most anticipated performers.