World Cup Group L Guide, Predictions & Odds

Group L promises to have some intriguing battles at the World Cup as England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama prepare to face off.

England are undoubtedly the favourites to win the group – and one of the favourites for the entire tournament – and progress safely into the knockouts, being the only nation to have won the World Cup albeit 60 years ago.

Croatia will fancy themselves to join the Three Lions given their previous World Cup pedigree, but Ghana boast some star players that could also get them over the line.

Panama are outsiders to qualify, but are higher ranked than Ghana in the world rankings, so it could turn out to be a competitive group with plenty of interesting betting angles to explore.

Here are our hot tips and odds for Group L of the World Cup, which you can check out great offers from with our list of World Cup betting apps.

Which teams are in Group L of the 2026 World Cup?

England

Current FIFA ranking: 4

England are aiming to end 60 years of hurt by going into the World Cup with the mindset of trying to bring it home.

This will be Thomas Tuchel's first World Cup in charge of the Three Lions, taking over from Gareth Southgate who reached the semi-final in 2018 and quarter-final in 2022.

The German boasts an excellent CV at club level having won the Champions League among other major trophies, and has solely been hired with the aim of getting finally getting England over the line.

Manager and tactics

Tuchel has preferred the 4-2-3-1 system when managing England, built on a strong defence having conceded no goals in their eight qualifying matches.

Having won all eight of those, Tuchel has brought through his winning mentality from club level, and will be setting up the Three Lions with that one goal in mind.

Known from his time in English and German football, captain and record England goalscorer Harry Kane will be Tuchel's choice to lead the line, while newly-crowned Premier League champions Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka should also be among the starters with their strong Arsenal connection.

Croatia

Current FIFA ranking: 11

Ranked just seven places below group favourites England in the world rankings, Croatia have the reputation of upsetting the traditionally bigger nations at major tournaments.

With their relatively small population, they have done so well especially in recent tournaments, notably reaching the 2018 World Cup final and interestingly knocking out England in the semi-final previously.

Some of that core group still remain in the squad, including 40-year-old captain and former Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric, while new younger talents like Josko Gvardiol and Luka Vuskovic are also emerging.

Manager and tactics

Zlatko Dalic has managed Croatia since 2017, and has largely preferred the 4-2-3-1 formation during his tenure.

During qualifying, Dalic's team was free-scoring with 26 netted in eight games, averaging over three goals per match, while five clean sheets kept shows they are also solid at the back.

Croatia aim to dominate midfield with the likes of Modric, and also provide a threat from set-pieces with the likes of Gvardiol and Vuskovic.

Panama

Current FIFA ranking: 33

Panama have qualified for just their second World Cup having made their debuts in 2018.

Incidentally, they also had England in their group, and were thrashed 6-1 by the Three Lions.

They will be seen as the underdogs in this group, although they do rank higher than Ghana in the world rankings.

Manager and tactics

Panama will be led by Thomas Christiansen, who has managed the national team since 2020.

He prefers a 5-4-1 formation, and given the relative quality of the other nations in the group, it will be defence first for the CONCACAF qualifiers.

Among Panama's star players are at the back, with Besiktas' Amir Murillo and Norwich City's Jose Cordoba among the names to look out for.

Ghana

Current FIFA ranking: 74

Ghana are actually one of the lowest-ranked nations at the World Cup, but that does not mean that they will not be dangerous.

Playing in Africa, they will be used to the warm conditions, and have upset the odds before at previous tournaments.

A controversial defeat to Uruguay in the World Cup quarter-final in 2010 is the furthest they have ever got, and was also the furthest an African nation reached before Morocco's semi-final placement in 2022.

Manager and tactics

Ghana are managed by the experienced Carlos Queiroz, who is one of the oldest managers in world football at the age of 73.

He has not yet managed a game for the national team having only taken over in April, but has traditionally favoured a 4-1-4-1 formation in other managerial roles.

Ghana's star player is undoubtedly Antoine Semenyo, who has enjoyed a brilliant season with Bournemouth and Manchester City, while other talents like Coventry City's Brandon Thomas-Asante ply their trade in English football.

2026 World Cup Group L winner and qualification odds

Group L winner odds

• England (2/5)
• Croatia (4/1)
• Ghana (11/1)
• Panama (66/1)

Group L qualification odds

• England (1/66)
• Croatia (2/7)
• Ghana (4/7)
• Panama (2/1)

2026 World Cup Group L fixtures and odds

Matchday one

England v Croatia – 17th June – Dallas Stadium

• England (3/4)
• Draw (14/5)
• Croatia (4/1)

Ghana v Panama – 18th June – Toronto Stadium

• Ghana (19/20)
• Draw (3/1)
• Panama (3/1)

Matchday two

England v Ghana – 23rd June – Boston Stadium

• England (7/20)
• Draw (17/4)
• Ghana (17/2)

Panama v Croatia – 24th June – Toronto Stadium

• Panama (15/2)
• Draw (33/10)
• Croatia (6/11)

Matchday three

Panama v England – 27th June – New York New Jersey Stadium

• Panama (TBC)
• Draw (TBC)
• England (TBC)

Croatia v Ghana – 27th June – Philadelphia Stadium

• Croatia (TBC)
• Draw (TBC)
• Ghana (TBC)

Predicted finishing order

• England
• Croatia
• Ghana
• Panama

England should have little problems finishing top of the group and progressing safely through into the knockout stage.

However, it could be an intriguing battle between Croatia and Ghana to see who finishes as the runners-up, although we are backing the former to.

Panama will likely finish bottom of the group, and therefore crash out at the earliest possible stage.

World Cup 2022 Coverage

• What's coming up? View a list of upcoming World Cup Fixtures.
• Missed a match? Check out our World Cup Results for all the latest full-time goals.
• Think you know who will win outright? Then View our World Cup Odds comparison tables from top UK bookmakers.
• Betting Offer: We have collected world cup betting offers all in one place so you don't have to.
• Group by Group Betting Tips; Group A, Group B, Group C, Group D, Group E, Group F, Group G, Group H.
• World Cup Betting Tips; Golden Boot, Golden Glove, Group Stage Acca, Dark Horses and Outright Winners
• Highbet: Sportsbook and online casino with 30+ sports, 100's of betting markets and competitive betting odds.

🔗 Share on Social Media