One of the best groups in the entire competition, although it hasn’t been talked about as much as Group I has been. Group L is completely up for grabs, and is going to be near impossible to predict
Croatia (FIFA Rank 11)
Embed from Getty ImagesThe 2018 runner-ups, Croatia overperforms at every World Cup they are at. This definitely seems like a generation that is on its way out, Luka Modric is 40 years old, but is still producing at a high level at AC Milan. What has gotten older has been replaced with new young talent, specifically with Josko Gvardiol, Josip Stanisic and Petar Sukic. Croatia is one of the more interesting teams for this World Cup, as they will see how the young players will perform, and if the older players still have it.
England (FIFA Rank 4)
Embed from Getty ImagesEngland is getting closer and closer to that first trophy since 1966. New manager Thomas Tuchel has left some big names off the team, notably in Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Harry Maguire and Trent Alexander-Arnold. He has instead called up players that have been great in 2026. Harry Kane has 72 goal contributions, the most in Europe by a large margin. Declan Rice is one of the best in the midfield, winning the English Premier League title. Nico O’Reilly has exploded in his first season starting at Manchester City. Will this be the year it comes home? It is too early to tell, but saying they don’t have a chance would be blasphemous.
Ghana (FIFA Rank 74)
Embed from Getty ImagesSeventy-four is real low for Ghana, even without Mohammed Kudus. Antoine Semenyo will still have to be sensational for Ghana if they want to compete in this stacked group, who scored 21 goals for both AFC Bournemouth and Manchester City in this past season. Ghana is solid all around, and are far better than their FIFA ranking suggests.
Panama (FIFA Rank 33)
Embed from Getty ImagesPanama was able to knock the United States out of the Copa America in 2024, and were the strongest team to qualify through the North American qualifications. Getting through this group will be tough, but playing on their home continent could be a potential advantage.
Official Prediction
England has been prone to group stage disappointments, but will get through this group under the leadership of Tuchel. Croatia will always slide under the radar, even if France is the only other team to make the semifinals of the last two World Cups, and they will take second in Group L.
- England
- Croatia
- Ghana
- Panama