Group L
Standings, fixtures, scenarios, and group predictor
England's golden generation reloaded
Southgate's squad blends 2022 World Cup experience (Kane, Bellingham, Rice) with fresh talent like Cole Palmer and Kobbie Mainoo. Their 6-0 qualifying rout of North Macedonia showed attacking depth, but defensive lapses against Iceland raised questions. Key match: vs Croatia in Dallas on June 15 — a rematch of their 2018 semifinal heartbreak.
Croatia's last dance with Modrić
The 2018 runners-up and 2022 bronze medalists still rely on 38-year-old Luka Modrić. Coach Zlatko Dalić has blooded new midfielders like Luka Sučić, but their 3-0 loss to Portugal in March exposed defensive frailties. Must beat Ghana in Houston on June 19 to avoid early pressure.
Ghana's revenge mission
The Black Stars haven't advanced since 2010. Otto Addo's squad leans on Premier League talent (Kudus, Ayew, Semenyo) and La Liga defender Mohammed Salisu. Their 4-3 loss to Cape Verde in AFCON 2023 showed both firepower and defensive chaos. Panama in Atlanta on June 24 is a must-win for third-place hopes.
Panama's CONCACAF grit
Los Canaleros shocked the USMNT to qualify, with Aníbal Godoy marshalling a physical midfield. Their 3-0 loss to Uruguay in March proved they struggle against elite attacks. Parking the bus against England in LA on June 12 could decide their goal difference fate.
Standings
Fixtures
| Match | Date | Group | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 England vs  CroatiaEstadio Dallas | Wed, Jun 17, 2026 · 21:00 ET | l | – | Scheduled |
 Ghana vs  PanamaEstadio Toronto | Thu, Jun 18, 2026 · 00:00 ET | l | – | Scheduled |
| England vs GhanaEstadio Boston | Tue, Jun 23, 2026 · 21:00 ET | l | – | Scheduled |
| Panama vs CroatiaEstadio Toronto | Wed, Jun 24, 2026 · 00:00 ET | l | – | Scheduled |
| Panama vs EnglandEstadio New York/New Jersey | Sat, Jun 27, 2026 · 22:00 ET | l | – | Scheduled |
| Croatia vs GhanaEstadio Philadelphia | Sat, Jun 27, 2026 · 22:00 ET | l | – | Scheduled |
Qualification rules
Top two in Group L advance to the Round of 32. Third place enters the pool of twelve third-placed teams; the best eight on points, goal difference, and goals scored join the knockout bracket.
Scenarios
Use the predictor below to test scorelines. A win is three points, a draw one. Goal difference matters when points are level.
Frequently asked questions
What's the easiest path for England to win Group L?+
Beat Panama first, then a draw vs Croatia likely seals top spot unless Ghana pulls an upset. England's +12 goal difference in qualifying suggests they'll dominate weaker sides.
Can Croatia survive without Modrić?+
Unlikely in knockout rounds, but Group L is manageable. Their 2.3 goals per game in Euro 2024 qualifying shows they can outscore Ghana and Panama even if aging legs struggle.
How does third-place math work here?+
4 points usually advances. Ghana vs Panama is pivotal — a draw helps neither. A Ghana win plus keeping England/Croatia margins under 3 goals might sneak them through.
Which venue matters most?+
AT&T Stadium in Dallas hosts England-Croatia. The retractable roof and 90,000 capacity make it a pressure cooker — similar to their 2018 Luzhniki semifinal.
Who's the group's dark horse?+
Ghana. Their 2-2 draw with Germany in 2014 proves they rise to big games. If Kudus stays healthy, they could steal second from Croatia.